#maybe i'll fix errors tomorrow if i remember

[vraisetzen]

hiii i absolutely love your work! i’ve reread your fics like a thousand times 😭😭 could you maybe write about michikatsu/koku x reader in a modern office setting?

𝑨 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑫𝒂𝒚'𝒔 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 – 𝑲𝒐𝒌𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒐 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕

Summary: A late night with Section Chief Kokushibo reveals a lot more about him and yourself than you realised.

Tags: Slightly suggestive, Pining, Modern AU (Non-Kimetsu Gakuen).

Author's Note: I'm sorry this took so long! I've hit a dry spell lately with writing, but I didn't want to disappoint all of you lovelies who sent in these wonderful requests, so I just spent a little more time making sure things were alright. There's no smut here, but I thought it would be cute to envision Koku in a modern, but non-KimeGaku setting!

You felt the gust of wind comb through your hair, before the inevitable smack of the papers on your desk as your manager bore down on you.

"What is this?" Kibutsuji Muzan demanded, running his thumb across the pages before letting the annual financial records for the company flop down on your table once more.

"Your errors have just cost us our budget forecast for the next two years; do you realise the shitstorm you have gotten our entire department into?" Muzan continued while you dropped your gaze, your bottom lip caught between your teeth as you fought the scorching heat burning through your cheeks. The office had gone painfully quiet, while you combed through the disarrayed thoughts in your head for an explanation.

The thing was, you could not remember what it was exactly that you had done wrong — Daki and Gyutaro had thrown you into the lion's den without so much an instruction for what it was the higher-ups needed, and it was not until you pestered Douma, your desk neighbour, by way of a strawberry frappucino trenta and a half-baked cheesecake did he finally told you that you just need to analyse the P&L statements against the EBITDA figures, while considering last year's debt to equity ratios, dummy.

And clearly, judging by how the blond had gone strangely silent as he tapped away on the instant messaging window on his laptop — you could not help but wonder if this was all part of an elaborate hazing ritual, with you as the newest arrival to this company, not knowing anyone or if they were being sincere with their every word and deed.

"I want this done by tomorrow morning," Muzan ordered, barely giving you a moment to collect your thoughts.

"But-!" Your eyes strayed to the towering stack of papers as it swayed and slumped over your desk, numerical figures splashing across the table.

"I won't have any excuses," Muzan said, his turning on his heel. There was a coldness to the sharpened edge of his tone that promised a something more than a reprimand should you decide to speak back, and you let your words wither in indignation and frustration on the back of your tongue and you swallowed the lump that had formed in your throat.

This wasn't fair. None of it was. Your eyes swept with accusation to Daki, who had reverted her attention the glass file as she studied the gel tips of her nails, and her brother who slumped over his desk, his weed-like hair covering his eyes from your gaze.

"Kokushibo," Muzan ordered as he fished his jacket from his chair and fixed it over his shoulder, the sleeves swishing around his sides as the wings of a bat. "I'll be out to meet some clients today. Make sure everything's in order."

"Yes, sir," Kokushibo replied, fixing his reading glasses as he walked the division chief to the door.

Mumbles of Take care, buchō and Thank you for your hard work, buchō purled through the office as Muzan took his leave with nary a glance back at his juniors. As soon as he was out of earshot, however, the office burst into life once more as Douma stretched his arms like a prima donna belting the final notes of a torch song, and announced:

"Drinks! Who wants drinks?"

"Oh, me!" Daki exclaimed, tossing the file into her handbag and snapping it shut. "I heard there's a new spot just around the corner."

"The Thirsty Fish?" Gyokko asked, his wide, slimey eyes bulging further than ever as he considered the offer. "Count me in."

"Akaza?" Douma flounced over to the desk opposite his, and was met with a blast of arctic chill as Akaza packed his gym duffle and left without a single word. "Oh well — guess it'll be me, Daki-chan, Gyokko, Hantengu-"

"-You guys can go ahead," Hantengu creeped across the office, cradling the bump on his head. "I don't feel too well."

"Okay, then me, Daki-chan, Gyokko, Gyutaro — and Kokku-chan! Wouldn't you like to join us? For the first time in a million years?"

"No," Kokushibo said, who returned to his desk with a set of ring files piled high in his arms. "And you will refer to me by my name only."

Douma inhaled sharply through clenched teeth at the jab. "So, that was charming," he noted, before turning to you. Your eyes dropped back to the documents on your table, your stomach churning in anger at their flippant exchange.

"And you..." Douma's fingers danced across the top of your monitor, skipping along the line of trinkets that you have secured in place. "Will stay here and finish your work, won't you?"

He tipped over the last trinket — two rabbits perched on a crescent moon, a good luck charm your best friend gave you as a graduation gift — sending it on a loud thud on your desk. "Oops!"

Without so as an apology, Douma slung his briefcase over his shoulder and joined the rest of the crew, their giggles and cackles filling up the hallway in a haunting jeer. You kept your gaze on the fallen ornament, a torrent of irritation and disgust tossing in your gut. Reluctantly, you gathered the files in your hands, and flipping through them without much thought for the figures that laid within it.

Where should you start? You had no idea where things went wrong. A glance at the clock on the wall told you it was past dinner time; you should be so fortunate if you could leave the office for breakfast tomorrow...

"Show me the files."

A shadow fell over your desk as you gazed up to find Kokushibo hulking over your desk. Taken aback by his sudden appearance, you shrank into your seat.

"You don't need to stay, Kokushibo-kachō," you stuttered, as he held out a hand expectantly for the documents. "It's my mistake, after all."

"And how do you intend on fixing that?" Kokushibo raised a skeptical brow before grabbing a stack from the dizzying tower of accounts and records. "You'd be lucky to go through half the stack before the sun rises."

And before you could protest, he began sorting through the pages himself, long fingers leafing through years of backlogs and data entries. You watched as he, with impossible efficiency and precision, surveyed through the figures, his eyes scanning between the lines of numbers. Around three-quarters through the files, he tutted, and pulled out Douma's chair to sit next to you.

The heat of Kokushibo's body radiated from his pressed suit; it rose in palpable waves as you sank back to your seat, angled towards him to receive any directions. There was a warm and pleasant scent about him; something clean and mossy and green like the morning mist that drifted along a still lake.

You have never exchanged more than two words with your section chief prior to this, your interactions limited to polite greetings and acknowledgements when you bumped into him in the hallway — there was something elusive about him from which you could not quite tear your eyes away. More than his impressive height and cascading ponytail, Kokushibo's controlled calm made him both intimidating and intriguing; a subject of much speculation and interest on your part.

"I'm going to mark out the mistakes while you'll key the right figures into the spreadsheet," he told you. "Pen?"

In the haze of his presence, you were slow to take in his words, your hands reaching more like clockwork than any conscientious effort for your stationery cup. Dimly, you noticed a glint of impatience flaring across Kokushibo's eyes, and he cut across your outstretched fingers to fetch the pencil for himself.

You jumped, the static between the contact of your fingers sending electricity up your arms and into the pulses of your heart like an ungelled defibrillator. His hand had been warmer than your expected; you thought that perhaps they would be cold like his words and exterior — a man who spared few words and even fewer displays of emotion, who turned the clogs and gears of this department as a well-oil machine, a commandeer that navigated the inclement disposition of Kibutsuji Muzan with a face and heart of stone.

Kokushibo, meanwhile, was unaffected, engrossing himself with the task in silence. With precision and accuracy, he marked out where you had first made your mistake, the flourish of his wrist making sharp, scratching noises on the paper. One by one, you noted every correction into your laptop, the cells churning out a different set of numbers that cascaded to the end of the table.

How would the rest of him feel, you wonder? What laid beneath that steely exterior, those muted expressions and sparse words. Could you find warm flesh and blood, a rapturous passion waiting to unfurl for the right person? From the corner of your eye, you studied the way his sinew twisted beneath his forearms as he scribbled on the paper; Kokushibo was a strong man — you have seen him heft boxes and lift ladders during the department's annual spring cleaning.

He could easily carry you too, and hold you close to him as you trembled beneath his cool gaze and wide frame. The strands of his layered tresses would tumble over his shoulder as he trapped you under his body, tickling your cheeks. Your breath would hitch as you caught his wandering gaze. anticipating the moment when he would peel open your clothes, dragging his calloused fingertips over your soft skin, and down to where you–

"What is it?" Kokushibo asked, noticing how you had fallen silent, your fingers hovering over the keyboard.

You blinked, embarrassed at having been caught with your thoughts adrift; hopefully they had not been plastered across your face for him to read. Shifting in your chair, you crossed your legs and straightened your back. "Nothing; sorry."

Suddenly conscious of every movement you made, you kept yourself a few significant inches away from him, eyes fixed on the numbers that melted into a puddle of fluster and discomposure.

The parting of the Red Sea. The walls of Jericho.

"You ought to conduct yourself with a little more resolve if you wish to continue working here," Kokushibo noted, continuing with the papers.

"Ah?" You looked up at him again — against the brilliant beacon of light from the lamp on Douma's desk, his profile stood partially in shadow as an eclipsed moon. Breathlessly rare and hopelessly distant. "Yes, kachō."

"Don't count on Douma or the others for help either, things don't work that way around here."

"Yes, kachō," was all you could offer again, although for good measure, you added: "Thank you for helping me."

"I'm not doing this for you," Kokushibo remarked, hardly missing a beat. His eyes were still on the papers as the tip of his pen tapped in an off-rhythm on the pages. "This is for the sake of our branch, and that man."

Of course, you reminded yourself. The bigger picture. You were well aware of what Muzan had told you when you applied for this role in this company: the cutthroat world of finance and banking, his mysterious and inexplicable rivalry with Division Chief Ubuyashiki Kagaya of the Wisteria branch. In this office, there was no such thing as camaraderie; even with Kokushibo's help as the both of you finished the night's task with three hours to sunrise, you knew it would be foolish for you to believe there was any goodwill behind his assistance.

Your task was crunching numbers and pushing papers, after all — whatever fantasy you could conjure from their inanimate form was pure shadow puppetry, fictive and speculative.

But there was a small part of you that held out for the momentary thrill of heat when Kokushibo's fingers brushed against yours — it could grow into an inferno, melting away at the frost and uncover what is beneath: flesh, and something tantalising still.

Yet, as you placed the stack of documents on Muzan's desk for his vetting the next morning, and trailed behind Kokushibo out of the office, he felt so near and so out of reach, as if the warmth on your fingertips was no more than the refracted brilliance of the cold moonlight.

The elevator was silent as it skimmed downwards, and you trained your eyes on your muddled reflection in its brushed steel doors; meanwhile Kokushibo had traded his glasses for a pair of shades, and it was difficult to tell on where his eyes were focused. In the enclosed space, his presence was enveloping and fervid, the cloud of his cologne now flooding your lungs with every small puff of air you dared yourself to take. Him, everywhere and anywhere — if you had only the nerve to take a single step forward.

Taking a deep breath, you said: "Thank you for helping me tonight, kachō. I hope I didn't inconvenience you in any way."

He hummed gruffly at your words. "Just don't make the same mistake twice."

His stolid answer left you a little dumb, and as you wracked your mind for something to say, the elevator doors yawned opened as it reached the basement carpark — there were only a few cars left, stragglers who were sharing a similar fate as you two. The heels of Kokushibo's shoes echoed in soft clacks as he stepped out of the lift; you prepared to dip your head in a bow when he placed his hand on the doors, keeping them ajar.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Kachō?" you asked, apprehensive. Your eyes raked over his face and tinted glasses, unable to read his expression.

"It's late; the stations have closed," he said matter-of-factly. He's offering you a ride home, you deduced — it was tantalising, though with this surprising advance, any pluck you just summoned to initiate conversation evaporated into thin air.

In a brief second of clarity, you found your thoughts in disarray, scattered as the numbers you left behind in the office. Much as you would love to test your hypothesis, you were in no state to behave rationally or with resolve; there was no telling if you might do anything out of impulse or foolishness, and risk finding by next morning a box on your desk, with a letter of dismissal typed in Times New Roman, font size 12.

"Oh, I couldn't impose," you took a step backward into the elevator, itching to jab at the buttons to close the door.

From over the top of Kokushibo's glasses you can see a brow raise in question. He must think you were stupid for passing up such an offer; knowing him, he probably was cognisant of where you lived from your application letter. An hour walk home in the cold night from the business district to the outskirts of town was something only someone as foolish as you would do — and he would know that part of you all too well.

It would do nothing to help with his impression of you: meek, scatter-brained, but it was the right thing to do, you tried telling yourself — the two of you were colleagues; specifically, Kokushibo was your senpai, one you were supposed to hold at a professional distance. To breach to ocean and tear down those walls would be a gross misconduct on your part.

"Fine," he said, removing his hand from the doors and letting them close as he turned away without a second glance back at you.

And you felt the ground give way beneath your feet, the cool robotic voice announcing the floor that you were headed; you slumped on the cool railings lining the walls of the elevator, hating yourself.

...To be continued?

Thank you for reading!

For my longer writings, visit my AO3 here.

[lawva-girl]

Historically.. We don't mix. pt. 2

Law x fem!Reader, College AU

Pt. 1

Notes: Sorry i took forever, i kinda forgot i even posted this... HERES PT 2!!! let me know about any ponderances or possibly any errors... i dont have a beta reader or anything.. ALSO i could not come up with a nickname for reader..... so in the chat rooms i put "Y:" for "You". PLEASE tell me suggestions i will go back and fix it :D

WC: 2526

Back at the dorm that Law and Bepo shared, there was no chatter. Law was simply laying in bed with his laptop open to 5 tabs, one for each of the classes he was taking. He was taking all history classes this semester, since his counselor told him to. He would definitely miss the bio information but he did like history. Scrolling through each class, he breezed through all of the syllabus quizzes. Once he felt satisfied, it was onto checking his email, with one catching his attention. 

“DIRE!! MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR TEXT ME ITS EMERGENT!” The email title felt like a scam but he knew it was not, in fact it was a daily burden. The man who had sent it, his counselor and adoptive father, always communicated like this. After opening the email, he found himself irritated again, Cora had only wanted to remind him that classes start today. 

“How would I not know?” Law muttered to himself. Reading through the email, then deciding he had been too neglectful of the man Law opened up their chat.

L: I know it was the first day, I got to my first two classes on time.  C: Good!!! I miss you! <3  C: Any new friends?!  C: Do you like your professors?? I hand picked them :D  L: Hand picked? You are making me socialize on purpose.  C: Not true! Nico Robin is the smartest! She already had her masters by the time most have an associates!  L: The classes are fine. Bepo made a friend, her name is Perona. C: Oh! Mihawk’s kid! Good to know she’s here! Is his step-daughter here too? Maybe y/n?  L: Yes.  C: Oh! I heard she’s similar to you! Maybe you two can be friends or something?  L: How long did you have to think to come up with this plan of yours?  C: No idea what you are talking about…. L: Cora.  C: … C: Anyways, have you gotten all the textbooks you need?  C: I want to make sure you find them all!  C: It's my job, you know.  L: I still have two more classes to go to tomorrow, but i’ll be fine.  L: Thanks.  C: Anything for you! We should meet for lunch soon! I can make you salmon rice balls! Like when you were still a baby… remember? You loved my cooking! L: I did not. You should not be in a kitchen alone, Ill meet you on friday at 11.  L: Don’t start until i'm there. Please.  C: Okay !!!!! C: I'll see you then law! C: Cant wait ! C: Sleep tight <3<3<3 

Law closed his laptop, relaxing his shoulders. He glanced over and Bepo was already asleep. He kicked off his blanket and got up to go to the bathroom. After he finished his business, washing his hands like any good bio major, he strolled to the microwave area. He had only wanted water but he saw the picture of him holding a letter, standing next to Cora. Staring at it, he wondered why the giant had wanted him to socialize so much. It’s not like he never sees human faces, or stays inside all day everyday. He just liked being alone when he could, no one to ask him stupid questions. 

After finishing his water, Law went back to bed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two went through the rest of the week, meeting each other an embarrassing amount of times. Neither one had any reason to talk to the other, so they didn’t. Until Wednesday rolled around, and they were back in Nico Robin’s class. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Someone has it out for me. I know it for sure” You wrote in your journal, along with the date and class name. Looking at Law, like you had these past two days, made you realize it more. 

“I have pissed off whatever god actually exists and they want me to repent. There is no way that all four of my classes are naturally shared with Trafalgar.” You finish scribbling away in your journal, just in time. 

“Okay, pass forward the paper I handed out to you. This was just a fun assignment to see what areas we, as a class, are most interested in.” She spoke smoothly, with an even tone. It was almost like she didn’t care, or like she had done this 20 times. 

You heard some of your classmates groan and while you agreed, you thought it was inappropriate to voice that. Tapping a pen on the paper of your journal idly, you waited for more instructions. Even though your classmates weren't raised well, your father had done a fine job with you. You were nice, respectful, studious. Sure you are shy but it's not like it mattered. 

Why speak to people and risk being embarrassed if they don’t want to talk to you? 

“Okay, as I said before this class is based in groups and communication. Please tell one person about what you studied for this assignment.” Robin had said before sitting at her desk with a book in hand. 

Suddenly everyone was talking but you and one other person. 

“My assignment is on the Five years war. I chose it because of a coin flip, I found the sources in the library database.” Already you were irritated. Another interaction with the man who had no manners. 

“Hello. That is how you start a conversation, who raised you? Anyways, my assignment is on the First Crusade. I chose it because it was the first war I thought of-” “Really? The first? Liar.” He interrupted you, of course a man like him would. 

You squinted at him, before responding with “Not lying, I was watching a documentary on the pope a day before class, which made me think of all the holy wars. It's not polite to interrupt people.” 

“Okay. I think we have discussed enough.” “Fine.” You scoffed at him mentally, before turning back to face the front of the room. 

“Okay now, I want someone to tell me about their partner's work! This is worth participation, as a friendly reminder.” She smiled eerily 

You did not raise your hand, in fact you looked away. If you were called on you would end up having to lie, since stupid Trafalgar didn’t tell you anything about his assignment. 

“Okay, randomly generated, we will have Mr. Trafalgar, Mr. Reyes, and Ms. Churchill. In that order please.” “My partner researched the First Crusade, she told me that she learned about the context of the war. Specifically Pope Urban the second’s motivations for launching the crusade, who was mainly following the lead of the Byzantine emperor. She also learned about the cost of the war, not only economically but also what it did for the Pope’s approval rating.” Incredible. He pulled all that from his ass? Wasn’t he a double major? How long ago did he even learn that? How was he able to say it so confidently? He is actually smart?! Hold on, he could’ve seen the same documentary you did and just so happened to remember important stuff. But even then, he didn’t even hesitate, he was so confident, even with a professor like Nico Robin. 

“Very good, point earned. Mr. Reyes?”

As he relaxed into his chair, you couldn’t help but stare. His hair was sticking out, a bit unruly from his beanie. It was white with weird black spots on it, maybe a statement about faux animal fur? Could he be vegetarian or something? Maybe he likes to hunt? His sideburns went right into his weird facial hair, “should be shaved” was scribbled into your journal, along with “spots?” and of course “T is smart?”. You saw his black hair under his beanie and thought of your father, who would never slouch like the man in front of you was. 

“Okay good to hear. This wraps up our class for today, I’ll see you all on monday.” 

You started gathering your things, excited to go back to Perona. She promised she would have your favorite food ready for you as soon as your class ended. It was a little weird, but you two always were close. 

“Are you always the last to leave?” The sudden voice pulled you from your thoughts, and made you drop your pencil case. No pencils escaped but the case clunked right under whoever had just shocked you. Law, with no expression on his face, immediately thought of his giant  adoptive father; who was extremely clumsy.  

“No. Are you stalking me? I feel like the campus police or a trusted adult should know about this.” You looked up at him, not reaching for your case at all. 

“I’m not, somehow, we have the exact same class schedule. With the exception of my online class.” “That's crazy buddy… Will you grab my case?”

“You can’t get it yourself?” He scoffed and folded his arms. 

“I think the reason why I dropped it should be the one to get it for me, no?” You thought he looked childish, folding his arms like he just got told to go to his room. 

“Fine.” He reached down, grabbing the case and placing it on your desk, “even though you were closer to the floor… I'm sorry.” He looked away as he said it. Once again you thought he was childish. 

You found yourself staring again. This time you noticed his hands, the word ‘death’ tattooed on his fingers, and the heart on the back of his hand. Shocked to say the least.

“Holy shit.” Huh? You said that outloud? Maybe you weren’t nice. 

You looked up to see Law’s face, somewhere between shock and disgust.

“Oh uh.. I meant, holy shit your tattoos are cool. They look like they hurt.” Maybe you saved it, you really did mean it in admiration. 

“It was painful, but worth it. Bearable at times.” He looked at his hand and held it up between the two of you. Shocked that he held it up for display, you raised your eyebrows. Staring at the tattoo, you were about to reach out and hold his hand closer so you could get a better look at the line work. Then your thoughts were interrupted.

“I know we aren’t on the best terms, but you heard the professor. I think it would be a good idea to bite the bullet and partner up.” He said it so matter-of-factly you almost agreed without realizing you were lost. 

“Huh? Partner?” you blinked up at him. “Of course you weren’t paying attention. The collaborative presentation that you and another student must present on the 18th?” He sounded annoyed, but his face wasn’t telling. 

“Yes! Sorry I got lost in my thoughts, we might as well partner up. I don’t have anyone else in mind, so I can stick with you.” You finished packing, finally, and stood up. Swinging your bag onto your back, you held out your hand towards him. 

“Okay… What is that for?” He nodded down to your hand. 

“Give me your phone. I’ll put my email in. We can make a google slide and share it that way.” 

He paused, with a semi frown on his face then gave up. He put his phone in your hand, and watched intently as you typed in something. Then you returned his phone, much to his delight. 

“Bye then. Just do 5 slides on the First Crusade or whatever other war the pope has started.” He put both of his hands in his pocket as he casually strolled out, leaving you to the room. 

“Hey! We should at least pretend you won't be a dick this whole time! Don’t boss me around!” You realized that you had said that just a bit too loud for the circumstances. Maybe you weren’t nice. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y: Okay! I just left class, do you have my salmon nigiri?  Y: You won't believe how good I was today. P: WHST  P: who are you?  P: The y/n i know would never ever say that.  P: Yes i do have it ready :) Y: I had to partner up with Him :/  Y: The strength  Y: Also he has finger tattoos?  Y: What the fuck.  P: You didn’t see them before?  Y: Sir traffy has been through it P: I wonder if hes like some ex-gang member? P: That is such a gang member thing to get tattooed P: Why aren’t you responding?  P: Helllllooooooo  P: y/n P: y/n P: ….

“Rona! You are literally crazy. I was walking over here, that's why I wasn’t responding.” You closed the door behind you, making sure to lock it. 

“Anyways! I’ve never seen you have such a strong reaction! To a guy no less, did he like to recite everything in the declaration of independence?” Perona called out to you while you entered and took off your shoes.

You walked over to the kitchen, where she wasdoing some dishes. Tossing your bag on the couch, then taking a seat at the bar that was connected to the kitchen. “If he did that I would’ve proposed on the spot… He just is kinda smart? It’s freaky! One second he’s brushing me off and not wanting to talk to me at all, the next he's explaining the cause of the First Crusade? Well… Kinda.” Perona turned with two plates in hand, and took a seat next to you. She placed the plate of sushi in front of you, “Well honestly i'm not surprised… Bepo says he is always studying.” 

“You talk about him with Bepo? Perona…” you made a disappointed face at her as you pulled your plate closer to you. “Noooo it’s all kosher! Bepo just offers up info about everyone he knows. I think he just doesn’t have a filter or whatever.”

“Yeah…” you took a piece of nigiri and dipped it, then ate it. As you chewed and swallowed you thought of your dad, “Do you think your dad would come visit us here?” 

“Hmmm only if your dad forced him to. I can picture it now ‘don’t you miss our girls?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then lets go! You pay and ill bring the beer!’ ‘beer isn’t allowed on a plane shanks’ or something like that…” Perona tried her best but didn’t really get the overall attitude of your dads. You decided not to comment and just take another bite. 

“Do I get to know why you asked?” Perona said, food in her mouth.

“Traffy, as you call him, has hair as dark as Mihawk’s. It made me think of him today…”

“Sigmund Frued would have a lot to say to you right now.” “No he wouldn't, he’s dead.” 

“Not for long…” “What the fuck?” You both burst out in laughter at the same time, something you had only ever done with your sister. 

After dinner it was off to bed, except you weren’t actually sleeping. Your laptop was open on your lap, on the google slides page. The document was created, named, and shared to Traffy. It wasn’t the most well-mannered thing, but you decided that nicknames meant you’re friends. Your sister desperately wanted you to have friends, and this would make her think you had them. You didn’t like the deception, if you could call it that, but it's not like you were gonna go out and get real friends. 

You started typing away, filling out 3 slides with information and pictures before deciding to get actual sleep. 

[bloody-bee-tea]

No more soup

This was supposed to be one long fic but I haven't figured out some of the finer details yet and this scene kept begging to be written, so I'll make it into a series instead. I'll link the parts as they are being written.

What you need to know for the set up: Hizashi finds a ten-year-old Hitoshi muzzled on his way home and gets himself involved enough to get the kid away from his abusive foster family and take him home. From then on it's just a lot of trial and error for the three of them and this is just one of those instances.

I hope you enjoy!

(This is also my 1100th posted fic😱)

Shota isn’t quite sure what about the bowl of soup is so triggering for Hitoshi, but it’s undoubtedly a fact that it is. The way Hitoshi goes all still and quiet, his hands lightly trembling and his eyes almost unseeingly fixed on the bowl speak volumes.

“Hitoshi?” Shota carefully asks, wary to exuberate the reaction the kid clearly is having right now, and he was right to be wary, too, because as soon as Hitoshi hears his voice, he jerks back, chair clattering to the ground as Hitoshi stumbles away from the table.

“No, no, please, no,” Hitoshi gasps out, his voice barely audible under all the panicked breaths he takes in and Shota aches to follow him, to get close and put a hand to his shoulder, maybe even pull him into a hug, but they know better by now.

Hitoshi needs space when he has a panic attack and as long as he’s in sight, Shota is more than willing to give him that.

It’s hard, seeing Hitoshi as panicked as he is right now, Shota is not going to lie about that, but he has to keep a cool head to guide Hitoshi through it as best as he can.

Crowding him is a no-go, but talking to him seemed to ground him in the past so Shota takes a deep breath before he starts to talk.

It’s not his strong suit, Hizashi is way better with keeping senseless babble up, but Shota finds himself willing to try for this kid.

“It’s alright, Hitoshi, it’s just us here. Hizashi went out to buy some dessert, remember? He should be back soon and he’ll definitely bring more than we can reasonably eat in one evening, so you’ll get to pick some dessert for tomorrow, too, how does that sound?” Shota knows he’s not going to get an answer, but it can never hurt to include the kid at the off-chance he wants to contribute something but all that happens is that Hitoshi’s breath continues to come in too fast and too short.

Shota is just about to open his mouth again when he hears the front door open and Hitoshi must hear it, too, because he jerks violently and stumbles further back, slamming into the wall and Shota moves on instinct.

He has his hand stretched out, in a futile attempt to keep Hitoshi’s head from slamming against the wall and Hitoshi crouches low on the floor, arms coming up above his head as Shota comes to a stop, hand still uselessly stretched out.

“Don’t touch me, don’t, don’t,” he gasps out and Shota’s heart positively breaks in his chest.

“Kid, I’m not—”

Shota has never given much thought to how it would feel to fall under Hitoshi’s quirk. It would happen sooner or later—preferably during training so they can challenge his limits in a controlled environment but Shota was prepared to have it happen at home, too.

They allowed Hitoshi to use his quirk on them if he ever feels unsafe after all and Shota is almost proud of him for enforcing his boundary right now, if the entire situation wasn’t so heart-breaking.

Shota isn’t even sure how to describe the effect Hitoshi’s quirk has on him; he’s still in his body, he can still almost feel it, but it is as if he’s trapped inside a glass case. He still fills the same space as he did before inside his own body, but there’s something keeping him from actually using it. He can still see and hear and think, but everything is muffled and distant.

It’s almost peaceful, Shota has to admit, if you take away the fact that he is no longer in control of his own body.

“Step away from me,” Hitoshi says, his voice shaking so much that it takes Shota a moment to even make the words out but as soon as he understands their meaning, his body is already stepping away from Hitoshi.

He distantly wonders how many steps he’ll have to take, if he’ll have to cross all the way to the other side of the apartment but after three steps his body comes to a stop.

Shota should be scared of the fact that he’s no longer the one in control, but he doesn’t have the time to spare a single thought for himself. He can only think about Hitoshi.

Hitoshi who is still panicking, who is still crouched low on the floor, who feels unsafe enough to have to use his quirk on him—without the activation requirement, no less—and all Shota wants to do is hold the kid until he calms down.

Even though it would be the worst thing to do, as his current predicament shows.

“Sho? Kiddo?” Hizashi calls out finally, when no one welcomes him home and Shota strains against Hitoshi’s control as hard as he can, not that it’s doing anything.

Hizashi steps into the room mere seconds later, two bags dangling from his hands—definitely more dessert than they can eat in one evening, Shota knew it—and he takes in the situation with one glance.

“Hey, kiddo,” Hizashi softly says, putting the bags on the ground and crouching down a few feet away from Hitoshi. “I see you’re currently not doing so well, huh?” Hizashi asks, even though it’s more than obvious by the way Hitoshi is still hyperventilating.

Hizashi’s eyes slide back over to Shota and even though Shota knows he can’t do anything he still tries to convey with just his eyes that he’s currently under the influence of Hitoshi’s quirk.

Hizashi frowns briefly before turning back around to Hitoshi and even though Shota can see the tension in Hizashi’s shoulders, he keeps his voice low and gentle.

“How about we try some of those breathing exercises, kiddo? Do you remember how they go?” He waits for a moment, though of course no answer comes from Hitoshi and Hizashi doesn’t drag it out needlessly. “That’s alright, too, little listener, that’s what we’re here for, ya dig? I’ll just do them and you try to follow along with me, how does that sound?”

Hitoshi drags in a particularly rough breath and Shota panics slightly when he realises just for how long Hitoshi hasn’t been breathing right. Hizashi seems to harbour the same worries, because he doesn’t waste any time falling into exaggerate breaths.

He’s actually the perfect person to do this with, because thanks to his quirk he has amazing control over his breath and he doesn’t hesitate to be loud with them, either.

Hizashi is definitely loud enough to be heard over Hitoshi’s panicked gasps and Shota relaxes slightly when he notices that Hitoshi is trying to follow along. It doesn’t work very well, not at first, but eventually he manages to match his own breathing to Hizashi’s.

“You’re doing great, kiddo,” Hizashi praises him between breaths and Shota is glad to see that Hitoshi manages to continue the rhythm without Hizashi’s own exaggerated breathing.

Shota only gets a second for that, because then Hitoshi’s head flies up and wide eyes meet his. Logically, Shota knows that using his quirk is cause for panic for Hitoshi but he did not expect to see that panic etched so clearly into Hitoshi’s face.

“I’m so sorry,” he somehow manages to get out, Hizashi turning around to follow his line of sight and then Shota feels the effect of the quirk falling away.

It’s not gradual, just like being put under the quirk hadn’t been gradual. One moment he hadn’t been able to use his own body and the next he was in complete control again.

“Kid—” Shota starts, keeping his voice low and soothing but as soon as he opens his mouth, Hitoshi jerks to his feet and flees the room.

Hizashi and Shota are left staring after him as Hitoshi vanishes into his own room, firmly closing the door behind him without actually slamming it and it’s still quite the statement.

They have an open door policy in this home after all, and Hizashi and Shota promised him that if his door should ever be closed completely they wouldn’t come in without his permission. Shota doubts that right now, Hitoshi would give his permission and even though he stands by that rule, it feels wrong to let the kid go like that.

He was still in the middle of a panic attack after all.

“What the hell is going on here?” Hizashi breathes out after listening to absolute silence in the apartment for a few seconds and Shota slumps where he stands.

“We’ve had a bit of a hiccup, I’d say,” he whispers, eyes falling onto the by now probably cold bowl of soup on the table.

“No shit, Sho,” Hizashi snorts out and comes over to pull Shota into a hug.

Shota gladly falls into it, even though he wishes his husband could hug Hitoshi like this right now, and he breathes for a moment, safe in the knowledge that at least their kid is in the same apartment.

He could have made a dash for the front door, but he opted to hide in his own room and Shota has to remind himself that that is most likely progress, even though it doesn’t feel like it.

“He used his quirk on me without a question,” Shota mutters after a moment, right before he pulls away from Hizashi.

“What? I thought he has to ask a question to activate it.”

“I thought so, too. We’ll have to ask him about that. Maybe his panic overrode the rules of his quirk; if that’s the case we’ll need to take that into account for his training.”

“Sho, you’re getting ahead of yourself,” Hizashi gently chides him. “Let’s just focus on the fact that our kid is panicking in the next room, okay? You know what caused it?”

“I put down a bowl of soup in front of him,” Shota replies, his eyes falling back onto the table, their dinner still untouched.

“Soup? That seems like a strange thing to panic about,” Hizashi muses before he sighs. “That is something we’ll have to ask him about, so we can avoid this in the future. Did he make you do something when you were under his quirk?”

“He didn’t want to be touched,” Shota shrugs. “Told me to step away from him. I’m not sure if he was even aware of the fact that he activated his quirk in the moment. He just wanted space, I think.”

“Okay, we can give that to him,” Hizashi says, even though he seems unhappy about it, and there’s nothing but worry in his eyes when they fall on the still closed door. “I don’t like leaving him alone to panic, though.”

“Me neither,” Shota agrees. He’d be calmer if he could actually see Hitoshi, he knows that, but he’s not about to barge into the kid’s room just to satisfy his own feelings.

They have to put Hitoshi first and they have to trust that he’ll come back out once he’s calmer. It’s all they can do for now.

~*~*~

Hizashi is slumped over the table by the time the door to Hitoshi’s room opens up again. Shota elbows him none too gently and Hizashi startles up, wildly looking around before his eyes fall on Shota, who nods his head towards Hitoshi’s door.

Shota knows that Hizashi wants to say something, yell even, maybe, but he presses his lips together and forces himself to keep sitting at the table, just like Shota. They have long cleared away the soup that started all of this away and Shota just hopes that Hitoshi is willing to explain just what set him off so they can avoid it in the future.

He does not enjoy seeing his kid in that state.

Even though the door is open now it still takes Hitoshi a moment to step through, and when he finally does he looks impossibly small somehow. His head is lowered but Shota can still see how red rimmed his eyes are and he looks absolutely exhausted.

Shota gets stuck on the duffel bag slung over Hitoshi’s shoulder though.

Hitoshi shuffles into the doorway of the kitchen, his head still lowered and it gives Hizashi and Shota a moment to share a confused look.

“Hey, kiddo,” Hizashi finally speaks up, always the one to break a silence first. “Are you going somewhere?”

It’s not ideal; Shota has no desire to let Hitoshi out of his sight at the moment, but if he wants to go somewhere, then they’ll make it happen.

“When is she coming?” Hitoshi whispers, his gaze still lowered and it only makes Shota frown.

“Who, kid?” Shota asks in return, not understanding who Hitoshi could be referring to but when he glances back over to Hizashi he’s taken aback by the crestfallen look on his face.

“Your social worker is not coming, kiddo,” Hizashi answers before Hitoshi can ask again and Shota almost feels as if he’s been sucker-punched, but of course. Of course that would be something Hitoshi is worried about.

They know he has been ready to leave, to be taken away, to be kicked out again ever since he came to stay with them.

“Tomorrow then?”

“She’s not coming at all,” Shota interjects and now that gets Hitoshi to look up at them, eyes painfully wide.

“She has to, though. I used my quirk. You told her.”

“We didn’t, kid. We didn’t tell her and no one is going to come and take you away from us,” Shota says with more patience than he really feels because he just gets so angry when he is reminded of how the system fucked this sweet kid over.

“But that’s how it goes,” Hitoshi breathes out. “I used my quirk on you, you have to tell her!” His voice gets progressively louder as he talks and Shota fears that he’s just a few wrong steps away from a panic attack again.

“Hitoshi, what is the rule for your quirk use in this house?” Shota asks, putting a hand to Hizashi’s when it seems as if he wants to go off on a rant.

It would probably not help the kid right now.

“I’m not allowed to use it. I can only directly talk to Yamada-san, so you can erase my quirk when I slip up.”

“If you slip up,” Shota corrects, because that distinction is important but that’s not actually the rule he was looking for. In fact, that is the rule he wishes Hitoshi would forget completely. “What rule did we give you regarding your quirk?”

Hitoshi opens and closes his mouth several times before he lowers his gaze again. “I’m allowed to use my quirk if I feel unsafe and think I need it to protect myself,” he finally mutters out and Shota nods.

“Correct. And you did just that. I’m proud of you for that.”

Shota wouldn’t normally praise using a quirk out of fear like that, but things are different with Hitoshi. The fact that he used his quirk at all is a big step for him.

“How can you say that?” Hitoshi wants to know, his voice desperate and lost. “I used my quirk on you.”

“And you did it to protect yourself. You felt crowded and unsafe and when I tried to touch you, you enforced your boundaries. That’s a good thing.”

Hitoshi gasps for breath, his eyes wide and wild, his gaze flickering between Shota and Hizashi without really stopping anywhere.

“Hey, little listener, you need to tell us what’s going on, okay? Take a deep breath, please,” Hizashi carefully cajoles Hitoshi, who sucks in a breath almost reflexively. “What’s got you all panicked again?”

“You—you’re mad at me,” Hitoshi eventually gets out and it’s surprising enough to make Shota frown.

“We’re not.”

“Scared of me then,” Hitoshi goes on, barely pausing to take another breath and Hizashi shakes his head.

“We could never be scared of you. Why would you think that?”

“You’re all the way over there,” Hitoshi gasps out, his hand reaching up to tangle in his wild hair. “Usually you would be—why aren’t you—” he tugs on his hair with so much force that Shota fears he’s going to lose a few strands and it only takes a second for everything to fall into place.

“Kid, you told me not to touch you. You used your quirk because you were so afraid I would touch you. As long as you don’t tell us otherwise, we’re not going to do it,” Shota gently tells him.

They have been a little bit handsy with him, Hizashi especially, in an attempt to get him used to it. It’s painfully obvious that Hitoshi is touch starved and that the only real touch he ever knew was a painful one and they’ve been trying their best to show him that it doesn’t have to be like that.

Shota has to admit that he likes ruffling the kid’s hair or pressing their shoulders together when they sit next to each other on the couch and Hizashi has taken to pulling him into a hug whenever he can get his hands on the kid.

And it seems they did get him used to it, at least when he’s not actively in a panic attack.

“Please,” Hitoshi gets out. “Please.”

It’s so desperate that Hizashi is out of his chair before the second ‘Please’ has even left Hitoshi’s mouth and he pulls the kid into a hug, holding him tightly. Hitoshi clings just as tightly to Hizashi and Shota doesn’t even have to hear it to know that the kid is crying again.

“We didn’t mean to make you think you did something wrong,” Hizashi mutters, pressing his head into Hitoshi’s hair. “We were just trying to respect your boundaries.”

“We’re here, Hitoshi,” Shota adds, finally joining his husband and rubbing a hand over Hitoshi’s back. “And we’re not leaving you and we won’t let anyone take you away from us.”

It only makes the kid cry harder and when Shota shares a look with Hizashi over his head, he can see tears in his husband’s eyes as well.

“Why don’t we move this to the couch, huh?” he gently suggests and Hizashi shuffles them over there without actually letting go of Hitoshi at all.

They sandwich him between them and going by the way he clings almost painfully to the both of them, he doesn’t mind at all. It takes him a while to calm down again and Shota hates to break the tentative peace they’ve achieved but they need to know what caused all of this.

“Kid, you don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to, okay?” he starts with as he cards his fingers through Hitoshi’s hair, because it’s important that he knows that. “But we’d like to know what triggered you today, so we can avoid it in the future.”

Hizashi doesn’t seem too happy with his approach if the glare Shota gets for his trouble is anything to go by, but Shota holds his gaze steadily. He isn’t looking for a detailed explanation, he’s just looking for a what, not the why, not if Hitoshi doesn’t want to tell them and he wills Hizashi to understand that.

“It was the—” Hitoshi’s voice breaks over his words and it takes him a few tries to actually finish the sentence. “The soup. It was the soup.”

“This specific kind of soup or all soup?” Shota asks for clarification and Hitoshi wilts where he sits.

“All soup.”

It doesn’t make much sense to Shota, because how could it, but that isn’t important. The only thing that’s important is that it makes sense to Hitoshi and that they are going to avoid soup in the future. It’s as simple as that.

“Thank you for telling us,” Hizashi tells him, dropping a kiss to Hitoshi’s head.

Hitoshi leans into it and then he looks over to Shota before he slightly reaches out to him. Shota doesn’t leave him hanging, taking his hand in his and squeezing it reassuringly.

“They—they always gave me soup before—” Hitoshi needs a moment to regulate his breathing again and Shota desperately wants to tell him that he doesn’t have to explain, that they don’t need to hear this, but it’s clear that Hitoshi wants to get this off his chest and so Shota only nods encouragingly at him. “Before they locked me in the closet,” Hitoshi finishes, his voice barely audible in the space between them.

Hizashi sucks in a surprised breath and Shota can only hope that he manages to keep any emotion off his face because the kid doesn’t need to see how angry he is.

Sometimes, Shota thinks that villains might be on to something. That previous foster family certainly doesn’t deserve good things in their lives.

“I know you wouldn’t, I know—I guess I just forgot,” Hitoshi admits and Shota squeezes his hand again.

“And that’s alright. It will take time. You’ve been through a lot and it will take time for you to feel completely safe with us. And until that happens, no more soup,” he adds with a wry smile and it’s enough to bring out a small, shaky smile on Hitoshi’s face as well.

“No more soup,” he agrees and then leans back into Hizashi’s chest. Hizashi immediately tightens his arms around the kid again and Shota fears that he’s going to have to pry Hitoshi away from him tonight.

Or maybe they can just have an impromptu sleep-over in the living-room. That should work as well.

“Hizashi still brought dessert. Think you can stomach some of that?” Shota asks after a while and before Hitoshi can answer him, his stomach audibly growls.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Shota nods and pushes himself up, content to leave Hitoshi in the arms of his husband.

There’s still the matter of how Hitoshi used his quirk to talk about but Shota thinks that can easily wait a day or three. There’s no reason to rush this, no reason to overwhelm Hitoshi with this as well today and it’s a sensitive topic for Hitoshi anyway. They’ll have to tread carefully there and today is absolutely not the time to do that.

So instead of freaking their kid out any more Shota busies himself with getting as many desserts as he can into the living-room in one trip, while Hizashi sets up a movie.

With everything that happened today, Shota doubts Hitoshi will manage to stay awake for long but that doesn’t matter right now.

All that matters is that Hitoshi is safe and sound between them, that he still feels comfortable enough with them and in this home to allow them this close, and that all three of them ruin their stomach with as much sugar as they can.

And they do exactly that.

Read the next part here: You're not a pet

[citizensofeggtonarchived]

"Well, your Uncle certainly sounds interesting. Perhaps once we get a proper treaty and portal system set up you can bring him here for a visit. The country of Flora has many wonderful spots one could visit and some many unique people as well." Vix could say she's been all over Flora herself, though it was mostly on business with the few times her father took everyone on a vacation as even royals need a bit of time to unwind, though it was mainly for family bonding. "Then how about tomorrow? We can have a little spar so you can see how we fight in our world." The fennec wasn't sure how much of a difference there would be, though only one way to find out.

"Oh, it sounds like he thought of everything, though if you wish we can still take a look to see if something went wrong." Vix wasn't going to push Tangle to let them look at it, though if it took her to the wrong place when using it then logically there might be a chance the recall won't work properly as well. "Of course if we do pick up an error I am unsure if we'll be able to fix it, though at least we'll know something is wrong with it." The fennec didn't want to make it seem like they could fix anything wrong with it as it was tech from another world, though at the very least they'd make any problems known to the lemur.

"My, your friend sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him being able to build a device at such a young age." Vix could only make a guess about Tails age in her head given the information she was given, though he certainly sounded bright. "I often find it hard to understand my younger sister Kit sometimes as well. She certainly ended up much smarter than me or Twee so it can be hard to follow her when she starts going on about formulas and chemicals." The fennec always tried her best, though once Kit got going then there was no way she was going to understand half the stuff she said.

"Oh? I suppose it's not a surprise beings from other worlds can be born with unique abilities. You must be a real threat in combat with an ability like that. Reminds me of an old story about a snake who could turn his entire body into rubber to prevent any damage." Vix remembered her father telling her that story, though has a kid always thought he was making it up. These days the fennec wouldn't be surprised to even hear about a Lucky Star like that, though with age comes wisdom.

Vix swiftly took notice in Tangles change in demeanor as the topic moved to Eggman once again before listening to her explain in detail what kind of man he was. "Please forgive me, I didn't mean to upset you or think I take the threat lightly, just that he won't find it so easy to invade this world." The fennec would suddenly come to a halt. "One moment please," the High Queen said before holding out her left hand in front of her as magic slowly began to form in to a ball of energy about the size of a baseball. Suddenly a bat wearing a cloak would appear out of thin in right in front of the two only to be blasted with a beam of energy which exploded upon hitting the end of the hallway. They stranger was still alive, though clearly knocked out and heavily wounded. "These assassin's truly never learn. I'll have a guard collect them shortly. Now, let us continue the tour," she said, continuing to walk as if what just happened was normal.

"Well, I'd say you would more than likely have to travel between worlds quite often to settle any problems, at least at the start as I'm sure people from both your world and mine would be a bit uneasy about visitors from different worlds. Maybe more so with mine as it sounds more common in yours." Vix was simply mentioning how she assumed things would be at the start and nothing else. "Though I will retire the subject for now as we reached our next destination," the fennec said, opening two doors which revealed an extremely large library with at least seven different levels to it.

She couldn't hide a smile thinking about her Uncle. The old codger was a pain in her tail when she was younger. But the closest thing she had to a father. He was smart, sure even if he had a funny way of talking or saying things. She always listened after all his advice had saved her tail on more then one occasion. So she was all to happy to let him know someone else admired his little tea speeches.

" Hehe, i'm sure he'd puff his chest out hearin' ya say that! But yer right! He kept me outta trouble growin' up, and dealt with all my antics! "

She did get a little more excited at the prospect of showing off her own unique style of martial arts!

" Hah! i'd be happy to show ya! Developed my own style of fightin' with my uncles help. Was gonna be a professional fighter once, but well... Eggman ruined that! but least its still useful! "

"Well Tails said there was a return function on the Ring... i assume once its charged it can get me home. But takes awhile for them to get enough steam back to make a portal. Till then guess i'm kinda stuck... "

She explained with a sigh as she placed her hands behind her head. Wasn't much she could do, but she was confident Tails little device would get her home. it was just a waiting game till then. Unless the ring malfunctioned? Nah Tails Tech was to damn good to not have some kind of recall, the guy was a genius after all!

" Well If i do get back i bet Tails could help you guys get your own portals working. He's smart like that, owns his own business and everything! and he's younger then i am... now if only i could understand him half the time haha! "

Tangle was very much interested in the fighters out there. If she had her way she'd have jumped out there and took on the big guy just to see where she stood! But her attention went back to Vix as she explained her Lucky Star and how magic seemed to work. Tangle didn't get it but sounded a little like Gaia's gifts. Special abilities given to the people of mobius.

" Heh Lucky Star? Sounds a bit like how mobians are born with little powers or gifts. Like how my Tail has rubber like properties... real stretchy and super durable! probably why i'm so strong to... though i dunno all the details. that's a Tails question for sure! "

Tangle's demeanor took a shift when talking about Eggman, she didn't know what kind of military Flora had. but she knew what eggman was capable of. She'd seen and felt first hand what his madness could do on a whim. She'd fought his machines time and time again--- and even been the victim of his plague. She wondered if Vix understood what she was up against.

" Just be careful... Eggys alot of things but he's no dummy. His Cruelty knows no bounds... Hell, he uses animals as living batteries for funsies... not cause its effiecent but cause he hates nature and anything green ..."

As for the Ambassador Job? she'd think on it but really she felt Lanolin was a better fit. She and Sonic had a similar feeling on these matters. they just felt like important job like that should have someone who is gonna always be there. But Tangle was someone who wanted to roam, to see the world! To experience every adventure she could! Nah she just couldn't get tied down with a duty like that, it was to much responsibility!

" Maybe... i'll think about it... but i still say Lanni is better suited to that sort of job. I just wanna... see the world.... see what i can see... experience the wind in my face and the sun at my back... stayin' in one place i'd get so stir crazy! "

[artlessictoan]

this time it’s an ao3 req, for inosaku running into each other after years apart when butch!sakura has grown into herself more! y’know my original plan was like a silly ‘childhood friend moves away but comes back Hot’ bit of fluff, but then Shower Thoughts hit me like a fucking sledgehammer and now there are more emotions than i'm fit to deal with tbqh. canon-verse, except sak left konoha sometime after the chunin exams and she also has wood release bc unlike kishi I’m not a coward

(requests open)

(ao3 mirror)

---

Shit, shit, shit!

Ino’s breathing was ragged as she launched herself off the wet, muddy ground and up into the trees. The chakra coating her feet kept her steady on slick bark, but her reserves were dwindling and her concentration was split between tracking her enemy and formulating a plan on the fly.

This was supposed to be a simple mission; she was going to murder Shikamaru when she got back to Konoha.

But thoughts of home could wait, right now she had an S-rank fugitive to lead as far away from her terrified genin team as her battered body would allow. They were safe enough for now – Yui was injured, but she at least remained conscious and she had Haru and Risa with her to care for her, Ino could only pray that they’d followed her orders to head for the nearest village and gotten there safely – but Ino herself was running out of air and energy, her broken arm jolting painfully in its crude sling with every jump she made.

The sound of snapping branches behind her was growing closer. She kept her gaze on the path ahead, but had to bite her lip tightly to keep her head clear.

She could recall most of the vital information from the man’s entry in Konoha’s Bingo Book; a former Kiri-nin, fled his country over twenty years ago, known to use lightning jutsu and experiment with chakra amplifying techniques, something of a lone wolf, suspected of multiple counts of kidnapping and human experimentation.

On any other day, she could easily take this guy, but they’d stumbled into an ambush and she’d had three young, unprepared students to protect. He got off a lucky shot and she had been forced to flee long enough to get her team out of harm’s way, before doubling back to lead him far, far away from them. No way was she letting some filthy low-life get a hold of her kids, nor did she intend to let him get away and hurt anyone else.

Now she just had to make a plan to beat him.

She didn’t get long to plan however, when a bolt of lightning streaked past her and severed the branch she had just been readying to land on before she could get there. Too late to change course, she could only brace herself for a rough landing.

Her broken arm screamed as she hit the ground, even her best attempts to shield it not doing anything to stop the tremor that spread through her entire body when she landed heavily on her back. No time to waste thinking about pain though; she sprang to her feet just in time to dodge his follow-up attack. He landed behind her and threw a jutsu-enhanced punch at the back of her head, she ducked, leg spinning out to cut his out from under him, he jumped, flipping over her to land at her back again, growling, she rolled forward and – with a chakra boost – launched herself forwards, darting between trees and trying to gain some distance.

Maybe she could create a few clones, send him on a chase while she hid and prepared one of her family’s techniques, she didn’t want to take the risk of mind-body switch in this scenario, but maybe mind distur-

She just barely dodged the fist of lighting aimed at her already-injured arm, her breathing ragged as she ducked away from his constant attacks, never giving her the chance to counter.

Her foot caught a root as she backed away and she could feel herself falling. Fuck.

A shrill, ear-splitting screech cut through the air, leaving Ino both jittery and dazed as she tried to work out what the hell he’d just done. But, when her eyes landed on him, he was already leaping away from her, dodging out of the way of the tree crashing down where he had just been standing, his own eyes wide as saucers as he wildly looked around.

Less than a second after he landed, another tree began to scream its descent.

Someone else is after him? She barely had time to act on that thought – instinctually searching out for chakra signatures nearby – when, in a flurry of leaves and petals, her opponent was ensnared in twisting branches of a sapling cherry tree.

Her stomach twisted violently. His vain struggling against the chakra-strengthened branches went completely ignored by her, as the third party finally stepped out of the forest.

Ino didn’t need to see her to know; the painfully familiar touch of her chakra was more than enough.

Pink hair – the same shade as the tiny flowers dotting the wooden prison – was cut close to her head, arms as thick as tree trunks and darkened by sunlight were left bare, as were the well-muscled legs clad only in plain, practical shorts. The years had been good to her, she looked stronger, and not just physically.

She didn’t want to speak, didn’t want to draw the woman’s attention, didn’t want to discover that she had been forgotten.

The word escaped her lips regardless.

“S-Sakura?”

Those eyes, older, a little tired perhaps, but still sparkling in the dappled light filtering through the leaves high above them. “Ino!”

Before she could formulate a single coherent thought, she was lifted in crushing arms and spun wildly around. Under different circumstances, she might’ve found pleasure in being held tightly in warm, sturdy arms, but as it was, she had a broken arm trapped between their bodies.

Her sharp hiss quickly stopped the exuberant greeting and she was carefully dropped.

“Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just got so excited,” Sakura said, hands flapping vaguely near her injured arm as though it might drop off any second, “here, let me-”

Fighting every aching desire within her, Ino jerked away, glancing over her shoulder to check on the criminal still trapped within Sakura’s jutsu – and the bombshell that the girl, no, she was a woman now, had somehow learned Wood Release in the years they’d been apart was something she would just have to unpack later – examining his chakra to ensure he was truly unconscious and not just faking it, before turning her back to her oldest and dearest friend.

“Ino?”

She withheld a shudder, concealing the motion as she stepped forwards. “I can’t exactly stop and catch up; I’ve got to find my students.”

“Oh, I think I met them already,” Sakura said, jogging ahead to cut her off, “three kids, the tall girl had a wounded leg and the boy was wearing a hat? They’re the ones who told me their sensei still needed help.” 

Her good hand flew to Sakura’s shirt, gripping tightly. “Where are they, tell me you didn’t just leave them alone-”

The low chuckle simultaneously made her want to punch the woman and swoon.

She settled for glaring.

“Relax, they’re with Tsunade-shishou and she’s already healed their wounds-” the relief must’ve been obvious on her face, because Sakura’s lips quirked up slightly “-it was actually a bit of a struggle getting them to stay behind.”

Sakura once again reached for her arm, Ino shrugged her off and turned away. “I should still go see them, make sure they’re alright.”

“Hey, stop worrying for a second and let me help you.” Placing her hand on Ino’s uninjured shoulder, Sakura slowly pushed her to sit on the spongy moss covering the ground, then, with the gentlest touch Ino had ever known, she pulled her broken arm out of its sling and set to work.

Ino stared at the expression of pure concentration on her old friend, the hard lines of her profile softened by the light green glow emanating from her hands. She had been ignoring the pain fairly well until now, but the sudden relief that flooded through her nerves left her feeling a little light-headed, which was perhaps why she decided to open her mouth.

“Since when can you do that?” She winced at how bitter she sounded. Shit, she really had intended to stay calm and civil, but her idiot brain was ignoring every pleading wail of her fool heart to just accept the gift and dig her fingers through that short, messy hair and kiss the beautiful, wonderful jerk already.

If Sakura noticed her tone, she didn’t say so and her eyes flicked over to meet hers for only a second before returning to her arm. “Not long after I left, I guess.”

“And… that?” she asked, glowering at the man held limp in his prison.

“That... was a more recent development, took me ages to figure it out, but it’s pretty cool though, right?” If she hadn’t been busy with her healing, Ino had the awful suspicion that she would’ve flexed her arms, or waggled her eyebrows as well.

She snapped her arm away from Sakura’s grasp the second the healing was complete, absently twisting her joints to regain some feeling in them. “That’s one word for it,” she muttered, pushing herself to her feet and staring into the forest. If she really stretched her senses, she could pick up the three familiar chakra signatures of her students; she started walking towards them, tossing a glance over her shoulder. “I assume you can take our friend there to the necessary authorities.”

“What?” Once more her path was blocked, this time by a rapidly sprouting sapling. “Ino, we haven’t seen each other in so long, why are you so desperate to get away?”

“Because I’ve got a team to take care of. I don’t have the luxury of shirking my responsibilities.”

Clearly Sakura was done ignoring her not-so-subtle cattiness, judging by the hint of frustration to her voice as she said, “Are you mad at me for something?”

Ino stared at the flowers blooming in front of her nose and hated the little part of her that got excited at seeing tiny purple buds mixed in with the pink. She immediately shut her eyes against the sight and tried desperately to hold on to the ball of anger deep in her chest, threatening to dissolve into shadows and slip through her fingers any second.

She had imagined this day for so long now, played out so many different scenarios and responses – anger, joy, grief, love – but now that Sakura was here, real and close, the potential she’d fallen for as a girl, finally realised, bolder and more beautiful than she ever could have dreamed…

“It’s been over fourteen years Sakura! You can't just show up out of nowhere and act like nothing’s wrong!” Ino was on the verge of tears and even she couldn’t tell whether she was aiming to sound furious or distressed, but she pushed on, refusing to open her eyes, or turn back around, because she just knew that the second she looked Sakura in the face, all would be forgiven. “Where the hell have you been? Why did you leave?”

The long silence that followed her outburst was crushing.

Something silky and soft brushed against her cheek and, if she wasn’t intimately familiar with the texture of petals and leaves from her work, she might’ve leapt out of her skin. Instead she just let the flower wipe away the tear that had slipped free of her eye.

When Sakura finally spoke again, her voice came from just a few inches behind her, low and calming, “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly and I can’t pretend I don’t have some regrets leaving the way I did… but I don’t regret leaving.” Gentle calm, quickly turned to barely restrained excitement and Ino smiled at the enthusiasm in her old friend’s voice despite herself. “There’s so much out in the world, so much I’ve learned, ways I’ve grown, if I’d stayed, I never would’ve had the opportunity to learn healing from Tsunade-shishou, or develop my own kind of Wood Style! Konoha… it held me back, maybe not deliberately, but now that I’ve been outside it for so long, I can see just how much it needs to change.”

Opening her eyes and slowly turning around to face the woman, Ino had to accept that she had lost whatever battle she was fighting with herself.

Really, she’d lost the second Sakura showed up, eyes and soul blazing.

“I guess I can understand that,” she said, rubbing at the damp tracks across her cheeks, “but you didn’t even explain it, when you told me you were going away to train for a while, I thought you meant for a few weeks, but I kept waiting and you never came back and I didn’t even know what was happening, if you were even still safe.”

Sakura at least had the grace to look ashamed. “Yeah, that was pretty shit of me, I probably should’ve at least written to you more, but I just… you were more than a best friend to me, you were my idol, everything I wanted to be. And I needed to become someone you could love.”

She scoffed before she could stop herself, before shaking her head. “You idiot, I always loved you.”

A soft blush settled on her cheeks, but Sakura’s smile held not a spec of embarrassment, just a soft, subtle kind of melancholy. “I know, but…” She looked down at herself, hands fidgeting with the fabric of her shirt before she continued, in a voice that shook, just a little, at the edges, “But, before I could love you – as a person, not an idea – I had to learn how to love myself.”

Ino bit her lip and hesitantly reached out, laying her hand gently over Sakura’s. “So, do you? Love yourself I mean?”

She glanced down at the hand encasing her own, before slowly following the line of her arm back up to her face. Her gaze was tender, but assured. “Yeah,” she said with a short laugh, every trace of sadness lifting from her face in the wake of her bright smile.

It was crooked and a bit too wide, showing off teeth that had probably been knocked loose more than once, and it was the most beautiful Ino had ever seen her.

“Yeah, I really do.”

“And-” she didn’t care that her hand was trembling against Sakura’s as she stepped closer; close enough to count the freckles dusted across her nose and marvel at the myriad shades of green in her eyes “-do you love me?”

Sakura stepped forward herself, tilting her neck slightly to look her in the eye. “You even have to ask?”

Before she could think of an adequate response to that, she was tugged down and warm lips were pressed against hers in a feather-light kiss. Ino pressed closer, sliding her free hand behind Sakura’s neck to hold her in place as they giggled into each other’s skin. They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, kissing chaste but oh-so-sweet, occasionally stopping to just lean their foreheads together and share in their equally wobbly smiles.

Eventually though, they had to wake up from their fantasy come to life, when the long-forgotten prisoner began to stir and immediately started cursing them both.

“C’mon, lets get back to your team before Tsunade starts teaching them gambling tricks,” Sakura said, pulling away to tear the jail from the ground and sling it – trunk, roots, criminal and all – over her shoulder.

Ino was not at all ashamed to admit that she swooned.

“And… maybe I could come back with you? I’ve been away from home for way too long.” The question was a little uncertain, as though Sakura was still worried that she might be rejected.

The hand Ino offered was taken without question and they both began walking toward home.

---

[pocketramblr]

I've discovered a continuity error in another story whoops

[cr0wbonezz-wr1ting-inc]

One more time

Summary: Alex regrets ever saying yes. All he wants is a second chance.

Trigger warning: Mentions of cheating, mentions of sex, swearing, angst

Author's note: my first piece off hiatus !! - you're a twitch streamer in this fic but it won't come up too much :) hope u like it <3

Based on: Break My Heart Again - FINNEAS

you sigh. your ex-boyfriend called again. you've been ignoring your phone for 5 minutes now. was he really this desperate?

you pick up your phone and slide the green button.

"what do you want, alex?"

"___, you picked up!"

he sounded extremely relieved, like he needs you to breathe.

"i did, now what do you want?"

alex sighed and leaned on a wall in his bedroom.

"can i come over? there's some stuff i still need to pick up."

you suck in a breath sharply. the air is thick and tense.

"no."

you clench the phone you were holding and bit your lip.

"i don't want to see you right now."

alex closed his eyes and pushed himself off the wall.

"i understand, you need time."

there was silence for a moment. neither of you wanted to say anything.

"if you want to come over that bad you can get your things tomorrow morning."

"sounds good. i'll be there around 11, okay?"

"fine."

"good-"

you ended the call.

"-bye..."

alex let his arm drop beside him. his eyes were watering, but he wiped it away with the sleeve of his hoodie.

it's his fault, he knew. but why is he still so upset? he shouldn't feel like this - it's is his own doing, after all.

~

you open the door to your home. alex was standing on the porch with a few empty bags in hand. the morning sun blinded you slightly, making you squint at the man in front of you.

"hi ___."

"hello, alex. all your belongings are on the couch.

"great, thank you."

~

he looks over as he's folding a shirt.

"what are you looking at?"

you say without looking away from your laptop.

his face was getting red slightly from embarrassment.

"nothing, you seem busy."

alex directed his eyes back to the clothes in front of him.

"otherwise you would've said something about me."

alex snickered slightly, trying to lighten the mood.

you sigh, holding your face in one of your hands.

don't say it. ___, keep it in. there's no point in fighting him. ___-

"if i wanted to make a comment it'd be about the fact you can't keep your dick in your pants."

god damn it, why did you do that?

he fell quiet. you hated his guts, but even you felt kind of bad for being so blunt with it.

a part of you still loved him. his loud, yet charming laugh. his sweet kisses. his adorable clinginess. his blushing face when you teased him.

you shake your head, trying to physically get rid of your pity for him. he doesn't love you anymore. he shouldn't, and neither should you.

~

after filling the bags with alex's belongings he stood up and wiped his forehead. you waver from your work and look him up and down.

"you done?"

you asked him. he turned around and gave you a weak smile.

"yeah, i think so."

"good, you know the way out."

you turn back to your computer.

"___, wait. can i ask you something?"

you make eye contact with him, fully aware it makes him nervous.

"what do you want?"

alex took a quick breath.

"can we talk sometime?"

you look at him like he spoke an alien tongue.

"why the hell would i?"

"i want to talk about what happened between us. i hate that our relationship is so sour."

he set a step forward.

"i just want this to end peaceful - or at least neutral."

"why the fuck would i want to be peaceful with you of all people?"

"i hate ending things on the wrong foot, you know that."

alex stands his ground, making you livid.

"then we make up, and then what? you'll just break my heart again!"

you stand up, simultaneously pushing the chair away with your legs.

"then i can lay awake and think about why i even let you inside my house again in the first place?!"

if looks could kill, alex would be on the floor.

"fine. if you don't want to, then i guess everything will just stay the way it is."

alex turned around and grabbed his bags. there's no way he's getting through to you right now.

"oh, so now it's my fault?"

you slam your laptop and walk away from the table.

"well, i'm so sorry for being angry at you for cheating on me!"

you don't hold your anger in anymore, he crossed the line.

"i never said that, ___!"

alex yelled to match your energy.

you took a step back. the audacity to yell at you in your house.

"out. now."

alex grabbed the second bag of clothes and without a word walked to the front door.

"goodbye, ___."

alex pushes the door open and steps outside. you go after him but stop at the doorstep.

"fuck you!" you sob out. you grab the doorknob and slam the door shut.

your knees slowly got weaker and you sit against the front door, shutting your eyes.

~

it's been a month since you've seen alex. you've blocked him on everything since then.

you were doing a q&a on your twitch channel and everything was going well. chat was filled with questions and you answered the one's you could.

your thoughts were somewhere else, though.

you still miss him, you really did. alex used to watch your streams all the time. he sent you donations with cheesy pick-up lines, he called you during streams to make fun of you for dying in a game or just to chat while he's bored.

but that didn't happen anymore.

you realize you haven't said anything in a while and you apologize. your chat was spamming purple hearts and 'are you okay?'

"ah, sorry everyone, i'm still tired from yesterday. i think i'm going to end the stream for today, thank you all for coming!"

after saying goodbye you turn off your computer.

why are you still so obsessed over him?! he cheated on you! he even tried to cover it up with a bullshit story about "not being the first to kiss her," and "she forced me to," like someone would believe a lie like that.

yet, you still love him. something inside you wants to believe him, like he really was telling the truth.

~

the next morning you open twitter and scroll for a bit. you made a tweet earlier in which you stated you weren't going to stream today.

you looked at the trending topics and saw your name in bold letters. you clicked on it and read the first tweet that popped up.

'i really hope ___ is doing better, they looked so sad on stream :('

an image was attached to it - a screenshot from the stream you did yesterday where you were mindlessly staring at your computer screen.

you sighed. at least they're not thinking too deep about this.

you scroll further down, replying and liking a couple tweets saying you were alright, thanking them or cracking a joke. this should keep them off your back for a while.

after scrolling for a bit one tweet catches your eye. you clutch your phone as you read the comment.

'kinda obvious they miss quackity :/ it's a good cover-up story tho '

~

alex was staring at his ceiling. he'd seen the tweets about you - about him.

he hates this feeling. he hates the fact that he knows what you're thinking. he hates that he knows it's his fault. he didn't mean to. he didn't.

"come on, alex. you know you want it." the woman said.

"i told you, no! i have a partner!" alex pushed her away for the second time, trying to find a way past the girl and out of this small alleyway. he should've never gone to this stupid bar.

"tch, whatever. but know you'll regret rejecting someone like me!" the girl pushed him to the brick wall and fixed her dress as she walked away.

alex fixed himself for a minute and walked past the bar and into his car. he pulled out his phone and shot you a quick text.

'hey bb i'll be over in a few :)'

'don't come back.'

you responded almost immediately. alex froze as he looked at the screen.

'wdym?'

'you know damn well why'

you sent him a photo of him next to the bar in the alley. the girl was all over him while her lips connected lustfully to his.

'it isn't what it looks like, i didn't start any of this!'

you don't respond. alex tries to send you another text when an error pops up.

'unable to send message. user has blocked you.'

~

you hover your hand over your phone's keyboard. you thought anbout alex's offer to talk, and decided that maybe it was a good idea after all. you couldn't get your mind off him, you thought that hopefully getting some closure could help.

but how were you going to ask him? 'hey, i know i blocked number like a month ago but can you to meet me at some random park? see you there!'

after typing and deleting multiple texts you eventually landed on a message.

'hey alex, i've been thinking about your offer to talk it out, and i wanted to ask if you're still up for it?'

you send it and immediately turn off your phone and place it on the coffeetable in front of you. you did it, finally. you fall back on your couch and pull your knees up to your face, waiting for a notification.

after a nailbiting five minutes a light emits from your phone. you pick it up and read the name calling you. 'alex'. you take a deep breath and answer the phone.

"hi alex."

"hey ___, it's been a while."

you sit up straight, preparing yourself for the conversation you're about to have.

'yeah, you can say that."

the atmosphere was a lot less tense than you expected. it was weirdly... comforting? you can hear alex's raspy voice through the phone. has he been crying?

"i saw your text, you wanted to meet?"

"yes, i did. i wanted to get some closure, at least."

alex chuckled, his laugh making you a little flustered. trying to brush it off, you laugh with him.

"what's so funny?" alex asked.

you rolled your eyes and smile.

"you, dumbass."

he gasps cartoonishly loud. his goofy personality is something you could never get enough of. maybe you were wrong after all.

"ok, but seriously, when do you want to meet?"

he gets back on topic. you snap out of your smile and remember why he called in the first place.

"right, right. i'm free this whole week, you can choose when."

after some planning and back and forth, you decide to meet at a small family-run café in the afternoon. coincidentally, it's the same place you two had your first date.

~

you settle down at a table on the terrace of the café, the sunday sun greeting you warmly. you were a little early, so you decided to think of some questions. it didn't take you long to come to a few, though. your main question was the photo. what was that all about?

as you were handed a menu you saw alex walking on the pavement fidgeting with his fingers.

"hey! sorry if i'm late, i took the bus instead of my car."

he took the seat parallel to yours and exhaled.

"oh no, you're right on time. i was just a little early."

the waitress gave alex a menu and disappeared into the establishment. you both decided to stay quiet before getting on topic. neither of you want to start the conversation.

after both ordering and having surface level conversation for a while silence fell. you both know why you're here, it feels off to talk like nothing ever happened.

"okay-"

"so-"

you both start at the same time. alex awkwardly chuckles while covering his mouth.

"you first."

alex proposes. you nod and like magic lose the somewhat content mood you had prior. you steadily breathe in and pull out your phone.

"so, first things first; my main goal is to get closure and an explanation - there's no point in lying to me."

alex hums in agreement. you could tell he was nervous, you knew him better than anyone. you tap on your screen a few times until you reach the photo that was sent to you.

"now, i want a clear answer. what happened that night?"

you ask him firmly as you put your phone on the table to reveal the image.

"that's my ex-girlfriend."

alex said. you raise an eyebrow - his ex? you've heard some wild things about her and her antics, which is exactly why alex broke up with her in the first place.

"she said she wanted to ask me something in private. my dumbass said yes, because i can't pick up on context clues, apparently."

you cross your arms and lean back on the chair.

"you got that right."

alex looks up from the photo and makes eye contact with you.

"long story short, she pushed me to the wall and kissed me. i tried to push her off but she didn't let me go. after shoving her, like, twice she finally got the hint and left."

~

"so she set you up?"

"she hasn't changed a bit since all those years."

you say with a hint of condescension. his explanation made sense, and from what you heard he wasn't lying. your gut told you to believe him, yet your mind had an itching feeling that there was something else.

"are you sure that's all?"

alex flinched slightly.

"y-yes, ___. i don't know what else to tell you."

you mess with your hair a bit, clearly conflicted. there was nothing else, you knew that. but your brain wouldn't let it go. you decided it's better if you just sleep on it.

"alright, then.-"

you grab your bag and stand up.

"-i think we're done here."

alex stays seated and looks up at you.

"yeah, i think so."

you pick the phone up that's laying on the table. you pull out your wallet and put a $5 bill under your teacup.

"goodbye, alex."

"wait!"

alex stands up and grabs your wrist, the gesture scaring you little bit.

"are you still mad at me?"

those eyes. they're so pretty, almost sparlking. you snap out of it when he lets go, just realizing how weird it is to grab someone's arm out of nowhere.

"sorry, my bad. i wasn't thinking."

alex scratches the back of his neck.

"i'm still deciding if i can trust you, but i appreciate you showing up, at least."

"that's enough for me."

alex smile at you, not trying to pry.

"goodbye, ___."

"goodbye, alex."

~

you heard the chirping of the birds outside your window and groan. why is it already morning? you sit up and grab your phone from the nightstand next to your bed, the phone reading 11:23 - tuesday - xx-xx-xxxx.

you sigh and fall back onto your bed. you've been thinking about alex for a few days now, still not getting him out of your head.

after going downstairs and eating some toast you pull out your phone again, the clock now reading 12:44. you look through your contacts and eventually land on his name.

you hover your hand over the green pixels while sitting down at the dining table. you swallow audibly and click the call button.

it goes once.

it goes twice.

"___?"

'Hey alex, i wanted to ask you if you wanted to meet up again?"

ty for reading <3

m.list

taglist: @adoring-ghost @sakisaralazy @for-memories-sacrifice @ialexabsuniverse @shiyanchan @bioluminescentfrog @esylwen

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[queenofgotham800]

Freedom and Love

(Roman Sionis x Reader)

Requested by: @oneandonlyizabelle

(A/n): Thank you so much for request. I had much fun, writing this imagine, I hope you will enjoy reading it.💜🍸

Warnings: Gramatical Errors, swearing, death/or at least Injury, kidnapping

Nights in Gotham City were never peacefull. This city was living it's own life like always. Through the day, crime wasn't sleeping and in these hours it was just worse.

You were running through Gotham's dark alleys, turning your head behind, every time that it was possible. You knew you had no chance against him, he was the Dark Knight after all, the protector of Gotham. What would Roman do? This question popped into your mind. Roman Sionis, was your boyfriend, owner of the Black Mask club, which was now too far from your aproach.

The question; What would Roman do?, was not right becouse he wouldn't get into situation like this at all.

Few days ago

You were sitting behind the table in Roman's and your's apartment, since you already moved there.

Roman was sitting by your right side, and Victor was sitting in front of you, at the end of the table.

Victor had complicated relationship with you, same with Roman, it wasn't negative, but weirdly possitive. You could say that he liked you both.

That day, you were having breakfast with them, eating little cupcakes from the plate.

"Boss, we still have no idea, who is that crossbow killer guy," Victor mumbled as he ate cupcake.

"Victor, I told you that you should't talk as you eat." Roman looked nervous and then, he realized what Victor told him and smashed his cup on ground.

"WHAT! I sent few people after him, what happened?" Roman screamed after Victor.

"Roman, babe, I told you that you should't smash those cups," you told, even when you knew that this may don't help to his current situation.

"I don't care about the cups! I need that crossbow guy dead!" Roman turned to you and pointed at the cup. Victor looked on you with the 'we need to calm him down' look, and you sighed.

This crossbow killer, was causing Roman stresses and outbursts of anger. But what wouldn't, right?

You loved Roman despite his flaws and he loved you, even when he sometimes said terrible things, he always apologized.

"Honey, honey, look at me." you came to him, lifting his chin with your finger. Roman stopped shaking and his heavenly blue eyes looked in your (y/c) eyes.

"Breathe slowly, in and out," you whispered and Roman closed his eyes, and breathing exercise calmed him down a bit.

His breathing slowly turned into yours as you ran from the hero of Gotham City. Shit! He was still somewhere behind you.

"Breathe slowly, in and out," sounded your own voice in your head. "Right," you mumbled as you ran around some couple, who were holding their hands and then you dissapeared in another alley.

Roman opened his eyes, calm and then he stood from his chair. "Sorry for that cup, I will buy a new one to you," he mumbled and left. You looked on Victor desperately, who just silently mouthed at you -He needs you, go-

You turned to Roman who was leaving to bedroom and then back on Victor. "Go," he whispered, so Roman couldn't hear him.

You went to look at your boyfriend, who was standing next to window, looking down from it.

"What are you thinking about?" you asked as he turned around to you.

"I have no idea," he mumbled. He had still his pajamas on and you came closer, wrapping your arms around, hugging him.

"Don't worry about that crossbow guy," you whispered as he hugged you back, kissing the top of your head.

"I guess I should go take care about the club," he said heading to elevator.

"Roman, honey?" you stopped him.

"What?" he turned, with raised eyebrows.

"You have still your pajamas on," you smirked and opened the wardrobe, pulling out his favourite suit.

"Oh, right, I forgot," he laughed as you gave him his blue suit.

"I have to go, I have some bussines to do. I will be home probably sometimes around this time tomorrow," you said as he changed his clothes.

"Okay.. Should I sent few my mens with you?" he asked as you caught his shoulders, pulling him closer to you.

"You don't have to," you kissed him.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he broke the kiss.

"I am sure, don't worry," you smiled, "I love you," you said and turned to go out, but Roman caught your arm.

"I love you too," he said and kissed you, "Be safe (y/n)," you smiled and blushed at his words.

"I'll try," you said and left the bedroom.

Behind you felt something down. He was close, and Black Mask club was few miles from this maze. Maze was the first thing that appeared in your mind when you heared Gotham City. Hidden spots all over the city, occupied or not, you had to find one of them and when we are mentioning a maze, that also meant lots of blind paths. End of the line.. Said voice in your head as you stopped running, facing the walls. You were trapped...

As you left the apartment, with two guns in your coat and one knife attached to your belt, you decided to go for this Crossbow killer alone. It was better, you hated teamwork. When you went somewhere by yourself you always informed Roman about it. Not becouse he would hold you back, but just for assuring him that you will return, or in the case that if somebody kiddnapped you, he could send you some help.

Roman had his own bussines, and you had yours. You were strict to your morals, unlike him, who acted always impulsive.

You also prefered to travel mostly by walk. Police station was your first stop. Roman had few cops there, who would hopefully tell you some useful informations.

When you entered, you found officers laying on ground with glitters on the floor. Pink and blue, those two collors were reminding you just one person. Harley Quinn, she was somewhere close. You didn't wanted to meet her right now, doubting she would tell you something what would help you.

The crossbow killer could be anywhere and cops wouldn't tell you right away anyways. So you 'got lost' in archives of criminal records of Gotham City. Of course, all of them weren't here, many of them were destroyed becouse their owners were unhappy with their existence. Few cops had their tables here, they weren't close so you sneaked to their workplace, taking a closer look. There were nametags on it, 'Howard Petterson' and 'Renee Montoya'

You started seraching the tables, hoping that you will find something that would help Roman.

In first table there was nothing, just few notes, diary and photos of dead bodies.

But then, you stopped, looking again onto the photo. There were laying mans on sofa, and you knew them. Roman knew them also. You saw the arrow sticking out of the neck of one corpse. It was familiar to you, the arrow was made in such a precise way, only one man in Gotham could do weapons that precise.

You took the photo with you, heading to the weapon shop, which was open in Gotham 24/7. You knew the owner, who was kind to everyone who came to buy something.

Shop wasn't looking too fancy, windows looked like they weren't cleaned a while and when you opened the doors, they made a terrible noice. Interior of the shop didn't changed, it was exactly like you remembered. Big guns on top of the rusty iron shelves were clean and polished.

"Hello?" old man said from behind counter.

"Hey dad.." you told him as you came closer.

"Long time no see.." he said and frowned, "What happened?" he asked.

"I need to know who did this," you said and took out, from your pocket folded, stolen photo.

Your dad fixed his glasses and looked on it.

"It looks like crossbow killer was in action again," he laughed and gave you back photo.

"Dad, I need to know who is he. That arrow is from your shop, isn't it?" you whispered as you heared opening the doors.

"Who told you, she is he?" he laughed and smiled when he saw girl, dressed in black and purple, entering the shop.

"Oh, hello, i did not expected you to be here so soon,"

he said and she smiled at him, holding the helmet in her hands.

"Hi, as usual please," she came to counter, pulling money from her pocket.

"Of course, wait here," your dad said, going somewhere in back of the shop.

"You looking for somebody?" she asked you, pointing at the photo.

"No, no.. Just checking.." you mumbled, holding your eye contact away from her, slipping the photo back into your pocket.

"Okay then," she smiled. You dad came back with a little box.

"Thanks," she told, opening the box with the little arrows, similiar to the one on the photo.

"Bye," she said and left the shop.

You were just collecting your thoughts at what really happened. She is the crossbow killer!

"Bye dad, I think i have to go.." you mumbled, running to stop the mysterious woman.

"These childrens.." Your dad told himself and shaked his head.

When you walked out of the shop, there was nobody. Not even a trace of the Crossbow lady.

It was getting late, sun started to fall slowly down like your hopes.

It was already dark, with starts above you as you went back to your boyfriend with empty hands.

Maybe it was better that you didn't followed her.

You didn't even knew what you would tell her. You didn't planed to kill her, just to blackmail her or maybe steal the crossbow from her, and now she is gone.

Somebody suddenly crushed into you, as you walked by.

"Hey, mind where you going," you turned to him as he standed there facing you suspiciously. After that you felt somebody's arms wrapping around you, throwing you in the trunk of a car. You tried to scream, but nothing, no one was around to save you.

They threw you out on ground in some old warehouse, which reminded you Roman and Victor, but this warehouse was darker.

"You took her weapons?" one of them said.

"Yes of course, I am not an idiot," said the other one.

There was just two of them, both of them looking like burgulars. They were poor, jugding by choice of clothing.

"What the fuck?" you shouted as one of them kicked you into the back.

"That's for Clary!" they both screamed as they continued with kicking you.

"Who!? Who is Clary?" you asked and they stopped.

"You are (y/n) (y/s), You are dating Roman Sionis, the man who killed my wife," one of them told you, kneeling down to you.

"Sure, look i am sorry about your wife, but that wasn't me, dude," you said.

"That doesn't matter!" he hissed at you, leaning his face closer, which was a big opportunity for you. They took the guns, but they forgot the knife.

You took it from your belt, stabbing the kidnapper into the cheek. The second one was pulling a gun at you.

"Oh, darling, you don't even know how to shoot with that," you smirked, standing up, ready to leave this damn place.

And it was true, he didn't know, but surprise came across your face when you saw big figure, dropping through the ceiling, falling down to kiddnaper.

"Shit.." you mumbled and started running away from the Dark knight himself.

And that is how you got into this situation, standing alone trapped in this corner, you turned to face him.

"You can't take me. I did nothing wrong.." you laughed as you watched him comming closer to you.

"You have nothing against me. I just defended myself there," you shouted at him.

Your shouts were muted by his punch. Then, you lost consciousness.

Then, you woke up, laying in some little cell. It looked familiar. It looked like.. Blackgate..?

"No, no, no.. Shit!" you screamed and kicked to doors.

"Hey! Go away from the doors," cop told you, and you obeyed and stepped back from the door.

"Wait, I need to ask you something," you shouted to officer. He just raised eyebrows, "What do you want?"

"Why... Why am I here? Shouldn't i be judged by court at first?" you asked, you knew you had some criminal background, but you weren't 100% evil.

"Oh, you are not here permanently. We have you, we have also your boyfriend. When he comes to save you, we will get him and then we will move you to another cell," cop laughed and left.

You caught your head, you wanted out, but you hoped that Roman is not comming for you. You didn't wanted be the reason, which is gonna get him behind bars.

Time was passing slower than usual, or not? You didn't know. Cell was small, boring, without the window, without the chance to see what is going on outside.

It was like time stopped and suddenly, you were all alone. You felt tear slowly comming from your eye. You realized that if Roman doesn't come for you, he probably didn't loved you that much as you thought. But if he came, he would be here trapped with you. You hated batman and cops for putting you in this position. Light above your head went out and you were thinking, if you already spent whole day here. No, that wasn't possible, they would give you some food and water. When the light above your head started flickering, you got up from bed.

Somebody broke in.. That was the next thought that popped into your head. Roman? You ran to doors, looking around through the small window. Others inmates started bashing on doors, shouting on the uninvited guest.

When you saw familiar Black mask, you bashed on doors.

"Hey, this is a trap, you have to go!" you screamed at him, as he tilted his head and called, "Zsasz?"

Roman whispered something to Victor, who just smirked waving you through the window.

"Don't worry princess, we got this," said Vic, kissed the window and ran away. Roman gave him an ugly glare, and put down his mask.

"I know, babe, that is why we need to go right now," He said, unlocking the doors. His mout hang open as he opened the doors.

"What?" you asked.

"I know this is not the right time for me to say that, but damn, you look so hot in that prison uniform," Roman said and you rolled your eyes, pushing him forward, away from the cells. Other prisoners didn't stopped kicking into doors and you heared few police officers.

"Sure, look who is talking, I am sure the prison uniform would fit you as well," you smirked as you both ran to the exit.

Outside, you both ran to his Rolls-royce.

"Wait.. Where is Victor?" you stopped and asked.

"He will be back, enter the car my dear, please do it now," Roman said, entering his car.

You sat next to him, watching the back doors entrance open. It was some officer, who was slowly comming closer to the car, and when he opened doors on the driver's spot, you held your breath.

"So, I guess we can go," said the police officer and turned to us. It was Victor in police uniform.

"Victor! Why did you.. Oh wait.. That's a brilliant idea," Roman and Victor smirked as you laughed.

"But how did you.. Where are guys, that were guarding this place?" you asked, while Victor started the car, leaving this horrible place.

"Look out from your window (y/n)," Roman pointed to window, at your left side, showing you the view of cops, who were fighting against Roman's army.

"That's impressive, what about Batman?" you asked and Roman's face went from being confident to being shocked.

"Batman, he is going after you? What have you done?" he asked you, holding your shoulders.

"Nothing, I.. I don't know why is he going after me," you lied and fixed his messy hair.

"Are you sure, he is not after us all?" Victor asked and increased the speed of the car nervously.

"I have no idea, but that could be the reason," you mumbled as Roman hugged you.

"Baby, it was just a day and i missed you so much," Roman moaned into your ear and you smirked.

"I missed you too," you said as he wrapped his gloved hand around your neck, kissing you slowly.

On the way home, nothing bad happened, no Batman, no cops, no kidnappers or crossbow killers. Sun was slowly rising.

"Beep, beep," Victor said as he parked next to Black mask club. "Hey, love birds, wake up!" he shouted. You and Roman, were peacefully sleeping, Roman sitting and you, laying your head on his lap.

As Vic shouted, you both woke up.

Club was closed, and you were glad. This night was so stressful and you both went up to bedroom to get some sleep. After bath and dressing up to pajamas, you both laid on bed, hugging eachother.

"I love you," you smiled and gave him kiss.

"I love you too," he kissed you back and you both felt asleep.

[qweeby]

Nine Lives To Short Part 8: Every Second is a Gift

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡💜💜

Paring: Shinsou x Reader

Genre: Angst

Taglist: @bakuhoetoedoroki @foxypuppy

Plot: You only have nine days to tell him how you feel but maybe 9 days just isn't enough

A/n: IM SORRY I TOOK TO LONG BUT I'M HERE 😤

.

.

"OI! ARE YOU TWO IDIOTS COMING OR WHAT!" Bakugou screams over the phone demanding a response.

"Bakugou shut up we're coming" Shinsou says while putting his phone in his pocket muffling the screams of Bakugou.

" HEY! HEYYYY!!! Did that bastard put me on HOLD!?" Kaminari can be heard in the background "Nah Bakugo he put you in his pocket."

"HIS POCKET?!! HEY YOU KITTY CAT BASTARD GET ME OUT OF YOUR POCKET", completely ignoring Bakugou Shinsou turns and looks at Y/n.

" How d'you sleep last night,"?

"SHINSOU, IT WAS SOOOO GREAT!"

"g-great?... come on, stop playing around."

"NO REALLY IT WAS GREAT! Your bed was so soft! And the pillow are immaculate!."

Hitoshi covers your mouth, "Hey! S-shut up don't say words like that remember we're out in public pleaseeee don't make a scene, we already have Bakugou  in our pocket."

Speaking of Bakugou, he can be heard arguing with Izuku in Shinsou's pocket, causing the people that walk by to glare that him weirdly.

"KACCHAN GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE!"

"COME GET SHITTY DEKU!!!."

An explosion can be heard before the phone hangs up.

You moves his hand clenching it while mumbling "But, it was only great because... I was with, you."

Shinsou's zones out after hearing Y/n say that "Does she really mean that?" He says in his head.

....

"Whatever happens you can't fall in love with me".

....

"Did you mean that you too..." Shinsou accidentally blurted that out.

"Huh? Mean wh-"

Shinsou slap your hood causing it to go over you face and cover your eyes.

"AHHHH! Shinsou! Seriously!"

He then rubs your head, you can hear him chuckling." It's nothing Y/n hehe.."

"More importantly I should be asking you about your parents Mr. Aizawa told me tomorrow he'd go with Mirio to get intel from the police about them so maybe, you say a few words to them,and then say your goodbyes.

"I'll go but...is it wrong that I kinda hate my parents?"

"I don't think you hate them-"

"No. I mean it. I hate them because after all I am is just a failed experiment right! I'm just a result of two people with non-compatible trying there best to make a dumpster fire work!."

"...Hitoshi you heard my dad back there, he said I was cursed, infected and that I needed to me fixed."

You take a deep breath " I didn't ask for this."

Hitoshi holds your hand calmly saying "I know don't worry I got something that get your mind off that. Come on."

After a few more minutes of walking Y/N and Shinsou finally make it to dorms.

You open the door to see all of the class 1A students standing there with there arms reached out all yelling.

"SURPRISE!"

"HUH!?!" Your jaw drops to the floor as Kaminari walks up to you and puts a party hat on your head.

"Looks like you finally made it to your party!"

"MY PARTY! WHATTT I-WHEN DID YOU GUYS HAVE TIME FOR THIS."

Mina runs up and hugs you tight.

"We've been planning it for a while! Midoriya and Kaminari wanted to throw you a party with all of your friends one last time!".

"Awww....you guys..."

Izuku walks up to you with a sad expression on his face "Y/n...we want you your last memories of us to be a memory that death can't erase."

Kirishima shouts while standing on the couch raising his fist high in the air " HELL YEAH! That was so manly.

"WATCH IT NERD!"Suddenly Izuku gets shoved to the side by Bakugo "H-hey! Kacchan!."

" Listen to me and you listen good DAMMIT!."

"If this is the last time we're ever gonna see you...I...I WANNA SEE YOU GO OUT WITH A BANG! GOT IT."

Hitoshi and all the other students get into a massive group hug, trying there best to show you their affection and love.

Y/n just can help but sobs as this is the last time she'll see everyone, even though she can't feel everyone's embrace she can feel Izuku's love she can feel Momo's warm she can feel Bakugou's kindness shine through, Jirou's courage, Uraraka's strength. Y/n is overcomed by the love her classmates have for her.

("Everyone is here for you...In your final moments, you should cherish this forever long you have left.")

Yokai sits and stares out the window "Because last time I checked..."

Hitoshi holds you close, as he is in the center of the group hug and whispers

"Every second is a gift."

"Every second is a gift"

.

.

.

Time passes and Hitoshi,Y/n, and class 1A all have a blast together playing music, dancing, reminiscing on the past and even Sero brought weed but Bakugou dealt with with him....basically blew up his stash.

Eventually Sato and Momo made food for everyone and Kaminari even invited Class 1B. The dorms got very flooded but some how everything worked out in the end.

Y/n stands in the kitchen with Momo as she waits another batch of cookies.

"This is some party huh?", you sit on kitchen counter kicking your legs up and down

"Yup! This party is crazy Kirishima and Tetsutetsu are have a push up battle against Izuku! AND THEY'RE LOSING!."

Momo takes out the tray of cookies from the oven and puts them on the counter beside you, " Midoriya is surprisingly fit."

"Yeah, He always talks about how he trained his body for his quirk so I can see why...man I wish I could do that with my quirk." You say with an attitude before taking one of the cookies from the tray and eating it.

"Y/N!?!"

"Mmm?What Momo?"

" THAT CAME STRAIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN!"

"Yeah so it's ok I....didn't even taste it..."

You take another bite and...nothing you don't taste a thing not even the heat from putting it in your mouth.

"Momo I can't taste it..." you try to swallow it but you start coughing instantly.

Because you can't swallow..

"Y/n!" Momo quickly grabs the garbage so you can spit out the cookie.

"Momo....I can't eat. "

Yoayorozu looks around asking the question that's on Y/n's mind..

"Where is Shinsou!?"

.

.

.

You'll never know when it's your last...so spend everyday like it is. Enjoy the quality time with people and treat it as if it's your final outing...but know you...only fools like you can make such an error"

.....

♡♡♡♡♡♡💜💜💜: Next Part- Fools like You

[emo-floof-child-writes]

The Sword of the Solstice.

Chapter Thirteen: Duel of the Two Clans.

The gate looms over them. Eijiro shudders. To him, the walls surrounding Loyaci seem to be alive. Like if he wasn't careful, they'd materialize into cracked, mossy, stone hands, and squash them into jelly. The gate itself is made of a black metal, and unlike everything around them, Eijiro can't find a sign of decay on it. Certainly there was no rust. Above them, the dark clouds thicken, to the point that the reddish sky above is nearly impossible to see.

"Well, how are we going to get in?" Izuku asks, looking at Shoto. Momo lifts her fingers up, her index and middle finger touching, and makes a triangle in the air, a trick paladins use to ward off evil. Shoto proceeds to repeat the gesture, and sighs. "Well, this is a rather rash plan, I fear we will be walking into a trap. But we also do not have many options." He unsheathes his sword, and lifts it above his head. The power that you've given me, O lord of the Morning, I ask that you need your humble servant, and grant me this one request. He squeezes his eyes shut. I beg that you would send your Light, and be with me as I cleanse this great Evil from this world.

He winces, as he feels pain slip through his right hand's finger nails, like someone was peeling them off one by one, leaving his nail beds exposed. He drops his sword, and Izuku jumps out of the way, to avoid decapitation. "Shoto! What's wrong?" Izuku asks, his voice shaking. "My lord!" Momo says, as Shoto inspects his hand. He hears a bone chilling cackle. "Thought you got rid of me, did you?" Dendar's hissing, raspy voice taunts. Shoto looks down at his right hand. He sees black tendrils sliding under his nails, and covering his fingers in darkest black. "My lord?" Momo asks, her voice shaking, as she grabs hold of his hand.

Shoto grimaces. "I'm fine." He says, and Dendar's cackle returns. "You are absolutely not fine. You are turning into another of my lovely little puppets!" Her raspy voice sounds almost sweet, but it made Shoto feel woozy. He wraps his arm around his stomach, trying to alleviate the queasiness that settled in there. I will beat you. Lathander is with me. Dendar's presence giggles, which really makes Shoto shudder. "Lathander may have helped you earlier, but I'll keep coming back. I'll suck you dry and leave nothing but an empty husk to complete my true purpose." Shoto gasps. And that would be? "FOOL! You think I'm going to tell you?! I know better than that. The only way you'll know is if you join me willingly." Shoto swallows. Never.

"Oh well, can't blame a Primordial Deity for trying!" Shoto ignores her, making that gesture again over his hand, in an attempt to stop the pain, and the blackness that now covers half of his right hand. Dendar scoffs. "Give up, I'll soon have what I want." Shoto grabs his head, trying to squeeze her presence out of his skull. "Lady Momo, use your magic!" He cries, as he grits his teeth. She gasps. "And do what? The Command spell only works a short time!" She says, and he swallows. "Do you know the Geas spell, by chance?" Shoto asks, remembering that last he saw Momo, she was studying some of the more challenging spells.

She groans. "Unfortunately, that one has eluded my grasp." Izuku looks at Eijiro. "What's the Geas spell?" Izuku asks, looking down at the Solstice Sword. Shoto sighs. "Doesn't matter, we can't use it." He says, and Eijiro shakes his head. "No, what were you hoping to do with that spell?" Eijiro asks. Momo sighs. "The Geas Spell can make someone forced to do your will, or pay the price of a slow painful death." Momo explains. Izuku pulls out the Solstice Sword. Hey, Solstice? Could you cast that spell? "I could doeth that, but that spell will draineth me again." Izuku looks at Shoto. Is there no other way to fix this? "Besides to smiteth thy friend... but even if I casteth the spell, it mayhap not worketh. It is too risky, Bearer." Izuku growls. "Yeah, well, risks are a part of life, cast it." Izuku says, out loud, pointing the sword at Shoto.

The sword makes what sounds like a sigh, and golden yellow encircles the sword. "What doth thou wisheth to maketh thine friend's affliction doeth?" Izuku swallows. Make it obey Shoto for as long as it can be allowed. The sword hums in hand, and the golden light shines out like a beam towards Shoto, who is grimacing as the darkness covers the left side of his face, making his teeth look sharp and fanged. The light engulfs Shoto, and he gasps. The darkness pauses, and Shoto hears a shrill scream. "CURSE THAT SWORD!!!!" Dendar screams. Shoto takes a deep breath, as the pain subsides.

"Sir Izuku, what did you do?" Momo asks, looking at trembling Shoto. "I uh, asked Solstice to cast that spell you mentioned." He says, and Shoto chuckles. "You say that so nonchalantly. Only a select few can cast that spell effectively. It's not as rare as the Lathander's Lightning, but it isn't an easy task." Shoto turns to the gate. "Now that I can control my body again, we need to open the door." Izuku sighs, and looks down at the Solstice Sword. "Perhaps Solstice can help?" But even as he suggests it, he can tell he used all of the sword's energy. Shoto shakes his head. "No need, perhaps now that I'm back in control of my body, I can summon Lathander's power. Lady Momo? Care to join me?"

She smiles. "Indeed, my lord." They plant their feet, square their shoulders, and lift their hands in a gesture that Izuku has come to associate with paladins channeling their power. I can't do anything to end the spell on myself, or the magic barrier, but perhaps— Eijiro sighs, and pushes on the door. "No, don't!" She cries, as the black door makes a loud rumble, and black tendrils shoot out of the metal, wrapping themselves around Eijiro. Shoto lifts his sword, and slashes the restraints. The blade bounces off of them, as Eijiro starts to get pulled into the door.

He digs his heels into the dirt, while trying to squirm out of the tendrils grasp. He growls, puffs of smoke and small flames shooting out of his mouth and nose. Shoto groans, and slams his sword down on the tendrils again. Eijiro spits fire at the tendrils, but its grip on Eijiro strengthens with every attack. Izuku charges, lifting Solstice over his head. "Why did you have to touch the obviously evil door?!" He says, stabbing at the black ooze. The coil makes a squish! as the sword punctures a hole in it. Izuku pitches forward with a little too much force, making Izuku slam into the door. His blade arm, however, goes straight through the door.

Eijiro lands on the ground, with a shaky laugh. "Guess that's why no one could get in." Momo helps him stand. "What part of my story about me being the only one left alive did you not understand?! Be more careful!" Eijiro sighs. "Understood. Uh, Izuku, you good?" He asks, as Izuku stands, frozen. He takes a breath. "I'm fine, I just got a little shaken up." He slashes the door, and cuts an opening up. He walks through, and the others follow him. The city around them is obscured by purple mist, and an unearthly silence resides. "This isn't spooky at all." Eijiro comments, as he picks at his scales.

Shoto lifts his sword. "Last chance to turn back." Momo says, and the others shake their heads. "We need to keep going." Izuku says, and Eijiro bars his teeth. Momo sighs. "Very well, let's go." They trudge through the mist, until a cackle breaks through the dead silence. "Finally, the pieces are coming into place. If only the Girl could make it today." A male voice says, as a silhouette of a humanoid figure pushes its way through the mist. The figure has glowing purple eyes. Like what Tsuyu said the strange folk people had seen abroad had. Izuku remembers with a shiver. But what does he mean by "the girl"? Izuku sighs. This can't be good.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Later that night, Katsuki walks into his tent, and takes a deep breath. Tomorrow morning I'll have to duel for the honor of my clan. I can't lie, Round Face makes a point. He beat MOTHER. What if I fail, and I cause a much worse fate for our clan? He grunts, and kicks a clump of dirt. "What did that clump of dirt do to you, Son?" Masaru asks, and Katsuki turns to face him. "I challenged Neito Monoma to a duel..." Katsuki says, in a whisper. Masaru sighs. "Are you sure that is a good idea?" He asks, and Katsuki shakes his head. "He dishonored Mother. I can't let him get away with that." Masaru nods. "Just be careful, Son. Don't get reckless—" Katsuki scoffs. "Says the guy who's never had to fight a day in his life!" Masaru groans. "I may not be the true hero you wish I was, but I'm still your father. I worry about you."

"I don't need your worry, Father." He retorts. Masaru frowns. "You didn't see what happened in your mother's duel. She was in pretty bad shape." He says, and Katsuki growls. "Maybe so, but I have to beat him. This is my fault. If I hadn't been out fighting for other kingdoms and peoples, we wouldn't be in this situation." Masaru groans. "KATSUKI BAKUGO!" He scolds, which catches Katsuki off guard. He NEVER raises his voice! Katsuki thinks in amazement. "This is not your fault! The error falls on my shoulders." Katsuki frowns. “Father?” He says, and Masaru sighs. “You’re right about me, son. I’m a coward.” He says, and grabs Katsuki’s shoulders.

“It should be me fighting for our clan’s honor, but ever since I saw what he did to your mother—I can’t—” He squeezes Katsuki’s shoulders, and sniffs. “Please don't die, son.” He whispers, and Katsuki nods. “I’ll bring that sniveling coward down, Father.” I can’t worry about failure now, I need to win for Mother and Father. They need me to win. He grits his teeth. “He’s as good as defeated.” Katsuki adds, with a smirk. He lies down, and sighs. Well, let’s get some sleep before this fight everyone’s so scared about. He has an injured leg, so there’s a huge advantage—right?

The next morning Katsuki walks out of his tent, to see Ochaco standing outside, twiddling her thumbs. Katsuki chuckles. “You wouldn’t be worrying about me too, Round Face?” She scoffs. “You wish.” She responds, not wanting to admit that she got no sleep the night before out of worry for his well being. He scoffs. "Well, watch my back, okay?" He asks, and she frowns. "Aren't these duels like the most honorable things?" She questions, and Katsuki sighs. "Yeah, but you were right. He did seem too confident." She bites her lip. "Okay, I'll watch him." She says, and Katsuki grins. "Knew I could count on you, Uraraka."

She smiles. "You called me Uraraka, not Round Face." She comments. He chuckles. "I know what I said." He says, as he walks over to the arena. Ochaco grins. He trusts me! He's willing to put his fate into my hands. Better not mess this up... She takes a deep breath, and follows him into the arena. She sits down in the stands, and Mitsuki walks up to her. "You can sit up in the booth with us, if you want to, dear." Mitsuki says, and Ochaco shakes her head. Mitsuki didn't seem to take "no" for an answer. "Oh, but you're a friend of Katsuki's!" She says, and Ochaco sighs. I may not be able to see any foul play if I'm up there, but I can't just say no to her! She's intimating... Ochaco laughs nervously, but nods. "I'll still be able to see the match well from there, r-right?" She says and Mitsuki nods. "Best seats in the house!" She assures Ochaco.

They climb up to the booth, and thankfully, she could indeed see if any foul play was going on, perhaps better than before, with the overhead view. Katsuki walks to the middle, with Neito limping in. Please don't die. She thinks. Aizawa (the tired man that works in the employ of the Bakugo Clan), walks in between the two fighters. "Alright, listen up because I'm only going to say this once. The rules of engagement are as follows..." He goes off about being able to kill your opponent, or get them to yield. Weapons will be provided for the fighters, and you cannot use any other weapons. Mitsuki explains that is so they don't use poisoned blades or the like. The final rule surprises Ochaco; "absolutely no magic." If these were not followed, disqualification was the result.

So if I see him use magic, he'll be disqualified... She leans forward, and squints down at them. She sees Katsuki grab a scimitar. Neito grabs a handaxe. "Alright, with that, you may begin." Katsuki smirks, as he charges towards him. He swings and slashes him, and Neito just barely blocks to keep his arm. Ochaco watches Neito, and notices that in-between blocks, he is mouthing something. She growls. Despite my vantage point, I can't hear what he's saying! Mitsuki notices her irritation. "Are you okay, dear? Katsu is doing well." Ochaco bites her lip. "N-nothing." She mumbles.

Katsuki kicks Neito's bad leg, and Neito falls down. Katsuki points his sword at Neito's throat, calling for him to yield. Neito uses his axe to yank the scimitar out of Katsuki's hand, and the force of it sends Katsuki forward. Neito shoves his axe into Katsuki's left side. Mitsuki grunts, and Ochaco gasps, as she sees a familiar purple mist escape from Katsuki's wound. Neito pulls his axe out, and Katsuki's body doesn't move, as if he were petrified. "MOVE IT, KATSUKI!" Mitsuki yells, as Neito lifts his axe again. No... it can't be... Ochaco thinks and swallows audibly. Power Word Stun..!?

She climbs onto the railing of the booth, and jumps down to the arena below. Dendar, now would be a good time for that levitation spell! Ochaco says, as she falls towards the ground. A cushion of air slows her fall, and she sighs. Power Word Stun is such a powerful spell, I don't know if I can dispel it! On my own, at least... She looks at Katsuki, who is leaving a puddle of blood on the ground. If I don't dispel it, Katsuki will die! She takes a deep breath, and with a yell casts Dispel Magic, and she forces out every ounce of magical power into the spell. Neito stops his blow short, as he hears Ochaco speak the words of dispelling.

She sighs, but Katsuki doesn't move. She groans. A cackle resounds through Ochaco's head. "The only way you're getting him back is if you use my power." Dendar's raspy voice says. Ochaco grunts. "And you'll only get that through willing servitude! Oh dear, quite the dilemma, huh?" Dendar taunts, and Ochaco whimpers. There's no other way... I can't save him on my own... She closes her eyes. "Do it." She whispers. "S-s-say it." Dendar hisses. "Say you accept my whole power willingly." Last chance to think of something else, Brain! No?

"I accept." She says, and a rush of raw power escapes her, and sends a purple energy towards Katsuki and Neito. Katsuki gasps, and reaches for his wound. Neito collapses to the floor, and whimpers. "I-I yield!" He says, and starts to crawl away. Ochaco lands, and rushes to Katsuki's side. "Katsuki!" She says, as she inspects his wound. "What just happened? One second he got a hit in, and then you were floating. And what was that purple light?" He asks, and Ochaco frowns.

"I accepted Dendar's power." She says, using her healing magic to seal his wound. His eyes widened. "What?! Why?!" He says, in a panic. "He used Power Word Stun, one of three Power Words. The strongest spells known to warlocks. I needed to dispel it, but I couldn't on my own innate magical power. I accepted her power because it was the only way to save you." He sighs. "Right, so what, you're like a stronger warlock?" She shrugs. "Maybe, but I'm definitely not on the good side anymore..."

Katsuki grabs her shoulders. "You saved me, that's enough for me to believe you're good." She backs up. "No, you don't understand, Katsuki. I'm in her service now. I have to obey her now." Katsuki scoffs. "I refuse to believe that. You can fight it. You've got quite a strong will." Ochaco smiles. "Okay. I suppose I'll try." She says, and Dendar growls. "You can't—" She starts, until a man runs up, panting. "We spotted a dark beast in the forest, and have captured it. What do we do, Chieftain?"

Ochaco pokes Katsuki. "That's you." Katsuki walks over to the man. "May I see it?" The man nods, and walks outside the arena to where a cage lies. A humanoid creature is huddled up inside it. "You said you found it in the forest?" Katsuki asks. The man nods. "It was asking for you, and your elf friend." The humanoid creature turns. "Are you Katsuki Bakugo?" She asks, and Bakugo kneels by the cage. "Yes?" He says, and she sighs. "I was told, 'go to the bridge, and the forest, and find Katsuki Bakugo'." Ochaco frowns. "Who told you this?" She asks. "He said 'Deku'."

[imvintagenow]

Harry Potter, My Old Friend

Thursday

6 January 2022

6:42PM

Dear Diary,

It's been a few days, but not much has happened. I've been doing very well at work. I've been very efficient this week at spotting errors and fixing them. Plus, I've been better with time management, so I haven't fallen too far behind. Sometimes, without going into specifics, I have more to do than can be done in a single day. Today was the only time when I have work carrying over for tomorrow. It won't be too bad though. If no one calls in sick on Friday, I can probably finish it very early in the morning and then do what I want for a while.

~

I finished reading the first Harry Potter book at just after midnight. I love that book so much. The first time I read it, I was seventeen and it was 2001. I went to my school library and saw the paperbacks. I kept wondering what the big deal was. Why were so many people interested in children's literature? So, I borrowed one of the books home on a Friday and spent the weekend devouring it. Then, I checked out the next two and read them as fast as I could. I remembered the school librarian complaining how one kid had taken out every copy and hadn't brought them back yet. The fourth book was out by then and I remembering thinking how daunting it looked. I had never read a book that big.

Harry Potter will always have a special place in my heart. I reread the first few books every year. I don't think I've ever fully reread the series but once. I always stop along the way somewhere. I hope I can reread them fully this year though.

It's funny how things change though. I remember getting a friend to go with me to see the first movie. We were in the theater and she met with another friend who literally rolled her eyes at our movie selection. It wasn't cool, or normal yet, to be fans of Harry Potter. Now, you can't escape him. Harry is everywhere.

~

I ended up finishing the 20th anniversary HBOMax special. I think I'll watch the first movie tonight or maybe tomorrow. I'm not sure. I'm definitely in a Potter mood.